Bark Fungus Attacking White Ash
(Fraxinus americana)

 

White fungus beginning to eat into the bark of a white ash.   Cambium layer killed by progression of fungus.


photos taken by Gerry Hawkes near Woodstock, Vermont on September1, 2001

Prior to the early 1980's this superficial, white fungus on the bark of white ash trees was not known to injure or kill trees. Since the 1980's this fungus has become widespread. Over a period of years, it eats into the bark ridges making the bark less rough until it begins killing the cambium layer (layer of growing cells between the bark and the wood), eventually girdling and killing the trees. Often the trees affected are the ones that would normally be the healthiest and most virgous in the forest.

 

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Contact Gerry Hawkes: ghawkes@eco-systems.org