Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent of sooty bark disease of maple, appears widespread in western Washington State, USA

Abstract

The recent emergence of the fungus Cryptostroma corticale in Seattle, Washington, USA is concerning because of its invasive status in Europe, where it causes sooty bark disease of maples (SBD), killing both forest and urban trees. Additionally, the fruiting bodies (stromata) of C. corticale produce allergenic spores that can impact human health. Therefore, its presence in Washington has the potential to impact the state's populace and trees, including the native bigleaf maple, Acer macrophyllum. To better determine the distribution of C. corticale in western Washington, A. macrophyllum was surveyed on 50 Washington State Park properties. Bark samples were collected from trees with fruiting bodies resembling those of C. corticale and cores were removed from mature asymptomatic trees. The presence of C. corticale was confirmed using nested PCR. Acer macrophyllum with fruiting bodies of C. corticale were well distributed throughout western Washington, with an 89% detection rate at surveyed Park properties containing A. macrophyllum. Core samples indicated that latent infections appeared well distributed and common throughout western Washington on mature A. macrophyllum, with a 91% detection rate at surveyed Park properties containing A. macrophyllum and a 68% detection rate on cored trees. Signs of SBD and evidence of latent infections of C. corticale were widespread at surveyed properties. However, signs of SBD were rare on individual trees and the overall condition of A. macrophyllum was considered vigorous at the majority of Park properties. Awareness of C. corticale, SBD, and their likelihood to be present on a property containing A. macrophyllum in western Washington should help inform management actions and demonstrate the need for future research.