Ailanthus Fungus?

This is the first time I have ever seen a fungus growing on a living Ailanthus tree (Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven).  I know we'd all love to see a natural attacker of these trees, but we could also expect that whatever killed a nearly invincible Ailanthus tree would likely be devastating to many other species.

I don't yet know what this fungus is, but it didn't take much research to discover there are several fungi and diseases of Ailanthus.  Joanne Rebbeck, of the U.S.Forest Service Northern Research Station in OH describes Verticillium wilt,  caused by Verticillium albo-atrum.  It was first detected in Pennsyvlania in 2002, and is caused by a soil-fungus that infects the vascular tissues of Ailanthus trees. She reports the infected trees die rapidly, typically within a growing season, and that it shows promise as a potential biological control agent of Ailanthus!  Unfortunately, Virginia Cooperative extension reports other vulnerable trees include, but are not limited to, maple, redbud, quince, ash, sassafras and slippery elm.  A few species have demonstrated resistance, including fir, hackberry, dogwood, fig, beech, sycamore, white oak and willow.  Read more here.



On the BugwoodWiki, I found lists of 32 arthropods and 13 fungi that are associated with the genus Ailanthus in China. The fungal species directly associated only with A. altissima include Phyllactinia ailanthi, Cercospora glandulosa, Phyllosticta ailanthi, and Pseudocercospora ailanthicola, Alternaria ailanthi, Aecidium ailanthi, and one unidentified Coleosporium species.

An article by Peter Feret in the Journal of Arboriculture mentions there are six species of fungi that attack
the foliage, and ten that attack the stem and vascular system, with another five species of decay fungi that have
been found in Ailanthus roots and rotting trunks.  But he doesn't provide any details, but cites a 1971 paper by Hepting that I haven't yet found.


Non-natural Controls


I don't know anyone that trusts USDA to introduce anything (sorry, APHIS and IPM friends!).   I favor the non-natural controls for Ailanthus. While I prefer Glyphos and Roundup mixes over the restricted use Garlon triclopr pesticides, my friends know my favorite product is almost the most fun:  T-190 by Ingersoll Rand.