Substantial Decay in Pacific Silver Fir Caused by Hericium abietis. Gregory M. Filip, Plant Pathologist, Forest Pest Management, Pacific Northwest Region, USDA Forest Service, Portland, OR 97208. Alan M. Kanaskie and Susan J. Frankel, Biological Technicians, Forest Pest Management, Pacific Northwest Region, USDA Forest Service, Portland, OR 97208. Plant Dis. 68:992-993. Accepted for publication 7 May 1984. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1984. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-992.

Fifty-three Pacific silver firs (Abies amabilis) were felled and examined for external indicators and extent and cause of advanced decay on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Total volume of decayed wood was 3.1% (m³) and 10.4% (board-foot). Most of the decay was caused by Hericium abietis (34.4%) and Echinodontium tinctorium (20.5%). H. abietis in Pacific silver fir has never been reported to cause this high a proportion of total decay. Decay caused by H. abietis was not associated with typical decay indicators (ie, conks, wounds, or top damage).