Rot caused by Stereum sanguinolentum and its spread through the Norway spruce stem in the LHC Obrova noha management-plan area

Abstract

In the LHC Obrova noha management-plan area (Municipal Forests Prostějov), peeling and browsing damage to spruce (Picea abies) caused by red deer was monitored. In total, 20 plots of an area of 25 × 25 m were monitored in stands aged 26–65 years. On the whole, 56% of 1561 trees were damaged by peeling and browsing, 82% of the damaged trees were attacked by Stereum sanguinolentum (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Fr. Trees in the 3rd age class affected by rot show the highest proportion, viz 92% trees damaged by peeling. In the plots, in total 90 sample trees with the presence of rot were cut down. Peeling damage happened 6 to 41 years ago. The rot affected 10 to 94% of the sample tree stem volume (on average 39%). The volume of devalued wood is in positive correlation with a time elapsed after peeling damage (r = 0.683). The rot spread vertically through the tree stem by an average speed of 10.5 cm.year– 1 (from 1.3 to 28.1 cm.year–1). The progress rate negatively correlated with a period elapsed after the stem damage (r = –0.723).

Keywords

• peeling and browsing
• <i>Stereum sanguinolentum</i>
• LHC Obrova noha management-plan area
• spread of rot