How to Remove Ganoderma From a Tree

Watch for fruiting bodies on trees; this means fungal infection.

Also called varnish fungus rot, the fungus Ganoderma lucidum attacks trees by disrupting vascular tissues and compromising the integrity of the structural root system. There is no cure or treatment once the tree is infected. The tree initially looks healthy, but months later branch die-back occurs and red-orange fruiting bodies, or conk, of the fungus appear on the trunk bark or from cracks in the branch crotches. The key is prevention through proper pruning and sterilization of pruning tools on younger trees. Once the tree gets ganoderma, it's a matter of time before the plant fully dies, or the root strength and branches fail in a storm and the tree topples or breaks apart.

Instructions

1. Probe around the base of the infected tree, looking for rot or further evidence of spreading or appearing fruiting bodies of the fungus on roots and branches. According to Texan arborists Kevin Bassett and Russell N. Peters, you need to determine the strength of the tree's roots. Rotting roots suggest near failure and tree removal is better to prevent untimely or sudden tree failure months or years later.

2. Prune any dead or hazardous branches from the ganoderma infected tree as needed. Keep pruning tools and saws away from other plants as unsterilized blades cutting into other healthy trees spreads the fungus around. Douse pruning tools with rubbing alcohol or a 10-percent solution of bleach to sterilize.

3. Cut down the entire tree. No cure exists and allowing the tree to remain prolongs the inevitable drop of dead limbs or failure of the rotting roots. Hire a professional, licensed and bonded arborist service to fell the tree. Haul away all parts of the sick tree from your landscape; do not store infected wood to line garden paths or use as firewood.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your landscape trees and palms healthy. Environmental stresses like extreme droughts or wounds on the trunks and roots from vehicle or maintenance equipment make trees more susceptible to ganoderma infection according to the University of California, Davis.

• Always disinfect pruning saw blades and chain saws after pruning and cutting trees so you don't inadvertently spread the fungus around to other trees and woody plants in your landscape.

• Ganoderma also infects palms. Cutting or puncture wounds in the palm trunk are prime locales for the fungal spores to enter into the plant. Conk of the fungus appear on the trunk just like with hardwood trees.

References

• Arborilogical Services, Inc.: Ganoderma: A Significant Root Pathogen
• University of California, Davis: ood Decay Fungi in Landscape Trees

Resources

• Mississippi State University: Chain Saw Safety: Tree Felling
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palms