Sistotremataceae

The Sistotremataceae family comprises a diverse group of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the order Cantharellales. While they primarily function as saprotrophs in natural forest ecosystems, certain species can behave as opportunistic pathogens, causing significant decay in weakened or stressed woody plants.

These fungi are identified as agents of wood rot. Their biological activity involves the enzymatic breakdown of cellulose and lignin within the wood structure, which leads to structural instability. This process is particularly detrimental to large trees and structural timber exposed to persistent environmental humidity.

The hosts affected by these fungi typically include a wide range of forest trees and sometimes fruit-bearing orchard trees. Pathogens generally gain entry through wounds in the bark, areas damaged by frost, or pruning cuts that have not been properly treated, allowing the mycelium to colonize the internal vascular tissues.

Symptoms of an infestation are often subtle in the early stages, progressing to visible signs such as the appearance of sporocarps (fruiting bodies) on the surface of the wood. Other indicators include soft or discolored wood tissue, reduced canopy density, and structural instability that may lead to branch breakage or the collapse of the tree under heavy weather conditions.

Management and prevention focus primarily on maintaining the tree's health and eliminating conditions that favor fungal growth. Effective strategies include rigorous sanitation practices such as the removal of deadwood, the application of protective wound sealants after pruning, and ensuring proper air circulation within the plantation to reduce moisture accumulation on the stems and bark.