Armillaria - a hidden disese of Pinus radiata

Authors: I.A. Hood, C.J. Sandberg
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1993, Issue N.Z.J.For. 38(2) 1993, pp 29-32, Aug 1993
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

Abstract: An intensive survey of every tree in an apparently healthy unthinned six-year-old second-rotation stand of Pinus radiata D. Don in Kaingaroa Forest revealed that many trees with green crowns throughout the 3 ha study area were suffering from Armillaria root disease. Although mortality was only 3%, a further 22% of trees were chronically infected by the disease, and of these 36% were more than 0.5 girdled by infection at the root collar. This study complements unpublished data indicating that appreciable chronic disease is present in second rotation stands throughout this forest, and suggests that a management system may be needed to minimise the impact of the disease.