Knight Point State Park - Hymenochaetaceae? - Ask Extension
Hi, I walk at Knight Point State Park in North Hero... There are several trees in the service area suffering from the above named fungi... Is there a...
Knowledgebase
Knight Point State Park - Hymenochaetaceae? #876574
Asked July 09, 2024, 7:34 PM EDT
Hi, I walk at Knight Point State Park in North Hero... There are several trees in the service area suffering from the above named fungi... Is there a cure or treatment that could be applied? I have the Picture This AP and that's the basis for my question...
I can send you a picture if that would be helpful.
Grand Isle County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello Norma, and thank you for contacting us at the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program with your question.
Knight Point State Park is a wonderful place to be able to walk regularly and enjoy the beauty of our Vermont landscape!
Your identification of the fungi with your app are likely correct. I'm always struck by how colorful and in many ways beautiful these heart rot fungi are, yet they also indicate that the tree is probably close to the end of its life.
Our plant pathologist, Ann Hazelrigg, had this to share:
These heart rotting fungi are typically the last invaders into a plant already stressed by something else. I would suspect the trees may have suffered over the years from saturated soils, flooding, drought, winter damage, etc. I have seen trees live several years with heart rot fungi but it depends on the stress level, the longevity of the genus and species, etc.
I also share this article from the University of California, that provides info on both identifying the fungi and helping to minimize tree damage that can prematurely lead to the fungi infections.
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/wood-decay-fungi-in-landscape-trees/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0
Thank you for your concern for the Knight Point State Park trees, Norma. I hope the infected ones remain as companions on your walks for some time yet.
Knight Point State Park is a wonderful place to be able to walk regularly and enjoy the beauty of our Vermont landscape!
Your identification of the fungi with your app are likely correct. I'm always struck by how colorful and in many ways beautiful these heart rot fungi are, yet they also indicate that the tree is probably close to the end of its life.
Our plant pathologist, Ann Hazelrigg, had this to share:
These heart rotting fungi are typically the last invaders into a plant already stressed by something else. I would suspect the trees may have suffered over the years from saturated soils, flooding, drought, winter damage, etc. I have seen trees live several years with heart rot fungi but it depends on the stress level, the longevity of the genus and species, etc.
I also share this article from the University of California, that provides info on both identifying the fungi and helping to minimize tree damage that can prematurely lead to the fungi infections.
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/wood-decay-fungi-in-landscape-trees/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0
Thank you for your concern for the Knight Point State Park trees, Norma. I hope the infected ones remain as companions on your walks for some time yet.
