Fungi on Chamaecyparis Nootkatensis

ABSTRACT

Fungi were isolated and collected from Alaska-yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) trees and identified to help determine if any could be the primary cause of the extensive decline and mortality of this valuable tree species in southeast Alaska. Of the 20 taxa of fungi isolated and 33 collected, 36 taxa are new reports on Alaska-yellow cedar and 24 are new reports from Alaska on any host. Previously, 41 fungi were reported on Alaska-yellow cedar, therefore, a total of 77 fungi have now been reported on this tree species in its native range. Several potential pathogens were found in southeast Alaska: Armillaria sp., Gymnosporangium nootkatense, Seiridium cardinale, and Apostrasseria sp.; however, their low incidence or association with non-symptomatic tissues of Alaska-yellow cedar suggests that none is the primary cause of the extensive decline and mortality.

Key Words:

• Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
• Alaska-yellow cedar
• Alaska
• fungi