[CANUFNET] White Blotches on Maples solved

[Brian Geerts]

We have had a number of inquiries about this in our area as well.
There's also a write-up in the Orillia Packet here:

 

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2012/04/30/local-science-and-nature

 

Brian Geerts

Manager of Forestry

City of Cambridge

Dickson Centre

30 Parkhill Road W. ON N1R 5W8

 

geertsb at cambridge.ca

 

Tel:519.740.4681 x4558

Fax: 519.624.6975

 

 

________________________________

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net
[mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Shields, Peter
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 3:56 PM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network (canufnet at list.web.net)
Subject: [CANUFNET] White Blotches on Maples solved

 

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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