DEATH OF CHESTNUTS AND OAKS. 9 
gation covering the entire range of this recession may or may not 
show the presence of this root-rot as abundantly over the other 
regions involved as it is at Brim. The identification of this root- 
rotting organism as it occurred both in New York and in North 
Carolina was made from the rhizomorphic strands present on the 
affected trees. No sporophores were found, as the time of the year 
during which the diseased trees were examined was not the proper 
season for their appearance. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
(1) The chestnut near New Berlin, N. Y., and at Brim, N. C., is 
deteriorating. This is clearly shown by the small annual increment — 
during recent years, by the thin sapwood, by the large percentage of 
diseased and stag-headed tops, and by the number of dead and dying 
trees. This decline is probably due to several factors, one of which 
is the root-rotting fungus Armillaria mellea, but it should be noted 
that in spite of these facts the chestnut bark disease (Hndothia para- 
sitica) 1s not present in these localities. 
(2) Armillaria mellea can become an active parasite under favor- 
able conditions, especially in chestnuts and oaks, killing not only 
suppressed trees in the forest, but also those that are growing under 
more favorable environments. 
(3) The prevalence and apparent destructiveness of this fungus 
over the area examined in North Carolina seem to point to it as very 
probably an important factor in the gradual recession of the chestnut 
in that State. 
O 
