Fungi associated with woody tissues of Acer pseudoplatanus in forest stands with different health status concerning sooty bark disease (Cryptostroma corticale)

Abstract From 2018 to 2020, Germany experienced periods of exceptional weather conditions. Extremely high summer temperatures and precipitation deficits induced stress mortality in forest trees. Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) was one the affected tree species. Symptoms sooty bark disease (SBD) severe damage entire stands, both caused by fungal species Cryptostroma corticale , were reported more frequently. To explore non-symptomatic distribution C. wood cores from visibly healthy sycamore stems sampled all outgrowing fungi identified recorded. In total, 50 trees, aged 30–65 years, at five different which 91 endophytic filamentous morphotypes could be isolated. The community woody tissue trees varied greatly sites between number isolated ranged 13 44 no morphotype found sites. At 1.20-m stem height, 3.3 per on average. most abundant regard occurrence studied continuity corticale. It recorded four 26% had a frequency 7.85% relative 293 strains that second Xylaria longipes followed Lopadostoma turgidum . this study clear evidence for lifestyle is presented thus appears spread further than expected based visible SBD symptoms.