Absterben von Götterbäumen (Ailanthus altissima) in der Südsteiermark

Decline of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima [Mill.] Swingle) in Southern Styria

Wien

1998

6 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

12531

200104812

Decline of tree-of-heaven is reported from Southern Styria, Austria. Both 35 year old trees and young plants are affected. Symptoms ciomprise dieback of branches beginning in the upper crown and bark necroses extending down the stem. Microfungi found in dead bark tissues were Verticillium sp., Phomopsis ailanthi, Nectria coccinea, Fusarium sp., Botryosphaeria melanops, Cytospora sp., Nectria peziza and Giberella moricola. Verticillium sp. is regarded as the main species responsible for the decline. Predisposing climatic factors are discussed, but infection from agricultural soil adjacent to the Ailanthus stand is considered to be the dominant factor.