Wood decay elements include snags, down wood, root wads, tree stumps, litter, duff, broomed or diseased branches, and partially dead trees, all of which contrib-ute to ecological processes and …

Decaying heartwood desirable for some cavity excavators , while weaker excavators use decaying sapwood. Localized decay in tree wounds provides insect habitat that in turn are prey for vertebrates.

Decay fungi destroy cell wall components; including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, that make up the woody portion of a tree. Depending on the organism, decay fungi can destroy the living …

While wood-decaying fungi are essential for ecosystem health, they can also harm human structures, such as homes, wooden artifacts, and even utility poles. Understanding the life cycle and ecology of …

Pioneering research by Alex L. Shigo and his associates has produced a series of pictorial guidelines to provide a better understanding of how trees respond to wounding and subsequent microbial …

te so simple. The decaying wood inside living trees decomposes from the inside out, forming cavities, rot holes and hollow trunks, which are created by invertebrates and fungi, but go on to provide shelter …

Wood decay fungi are vital to ecosystem functioning as they facilitate the decomposition of woody materials into soil. Wood decay fungi are also major contributors to damage to wood in service in …