[CANUFNET] White Blotches on Maples solved

[Shields, Peter]

With many responses to the original post, I believe this one form M. Burleton and J. Brown at NCC in Ottawa have solved the problem.  Thanks Mark and James! I have quoted their response with their permission below.  Perhaps a submission to Detective Dendro one year!

"The best case scenario I have so far is the un-lichenized fungus Julella fallaciosa or white stain fungus. This isn't a algae partnership to make it a true lichen. It is a crust (crustose), type of structure this why you didn't find filament edges or scaly edges, you can find in other tree inhabiting species.

As you know lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus and a green algae living together. Lichens do not generally harm the tree or other living matter that they a growing on-they obtain their mineral nutrients from the air.

In some cases of the filmentose types may create heavier branches and in a storm and could be more likely to fail because the extra weight. Growth can seem to be stunted by heavy amounts of these lichen, but it is usually on weaker or slower growing trees. I have seen this happen on the west coast and in Scotland.

White stain fungus, is a "nearly" lichen, and many fungi apparently, have acquired this mode of life.

I looked to see if fungi or lichens in my many reference books, searching though a few internet sites and it came out to same type of lichen like fungus.

This could be the first part of the association of a lichen with the white stain fungus growing on the maple and looking for an algae associate.

In most cases the white patches are just the white stain fungus looking to become a lichen and although unsightly, I don't believe it harm or kill maples. In my woodlot at home, it is present on my young and mature sugar and black maples. I haven't  seen any detrimental effects to them in 16yrs."

Peter Shields
Senior Consulting Arborist
ISA BCMA ON-0570B, ISA PNW CTRA #1590, OMNR BHA #252, ASCA member
(905) 274-8300
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