Here’s a word that probably doesn’t come up in conversation much (unless you are a forester or arborist): phellinussulphurascens. It’s also called “laminated root rot.” Caused by a fungus, laminated root rot affects many conifer species on the west side of Washington, with Douglas-fir being the most commonly infected hosts.
This disease not easy to spot in standing trees but Amy Ramsey-Kroll, Forest Pathologist with DNR, teaches a free, self-paced online course through the Washington State University Extension online. Learn how to identify and manage the most common forest diseases that strike trees on the our state’s westside. You’ll learn the signs of root rot and, maybe, get an inkling of whether that big old Douglas-fir or red cedar swaying in the wind, towering over your house, has much longer before the next big windstorm takes it down.
Hardwood trees and shrubs like red alder, bigleaf maple and vine maple are immune to the disease and other conifers have varying levels of susceptibility and tolerance.
After viewing the 30-minute course, you may be able to spot some of the signs of root rot in standing trees. If you see it in trees near your house, consider calling an arborist if you are a homeowner, or a forester if you grow trees for sale. This fungus can spread to other susceptible trees. The decay caused by laminated root rot is a delamination process of the wood, resulting in sheets of wood that can be pulled apart. The heart of the tree may be decayed and this will not be good for the tree’s commercial value, lifespan, or anyone or anything nearby in a big windstorm.
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