116 MANUAL OF TREE DISEASES 



host species. The characteristics of the rot and the sporophores 

 of the causal fungus are described under poplar diseases, page 

 305. The hoof -shaped type of sporophore is more common on 

 birch. The sapwood of birch is invaded and the trees die. For 

 a general discussion of the life history, dissemination of the 

 spores, mode of infection and control of the wood-rotting fungi, 

 see page 64. 



Bkown Heaktwood-Rot 



Caused by Fames fuhms Pries 



This heartwood-rot has been found common in river birch 

 in Missouri and Arkansas. Other trees are affected by the 

 same rot, especially species of Prunus. It is common also in 

 fruit-trees of the genus Prunus and in the olive in Europe. 

 But little information is available on the rot as it occurs in this 

 country. The decayed wood is brown for several feet upward 

 and downward from the point where the sporophores are 

 formed. In the final stages of the decay the rotted wood 

 crumbles easily. Plate-like sheets of mycelium which are 

 common in the brown checked wood-rot are lacking in the 

 case of this disease. 



The sporophores are formed at wounds. They are perennial, 

 hard, woody and more or less hoof-shaped. The tops of the 

 older sporophores are smooth and very hard. Fine concentric 

 fissures are present but the top does not become roughened. 

 The lower siu-face is reddish brown and covered with minute 

 pores. 



For the general life history and control of wood-rotting 

 fungi, see page 64. 



Reference 



Schrenk, Hermann von, and Spaulding, P. Red heart-rot of birch 

 caused by Pomes fulvus. In Diseases of deciduous forest trees. 

 U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. PI. Ind. Bui. 149 : 47. 1909. 



