Artist’s Conk Description:
Ganoderma applanatum, commonly known as Artist’s conk, is a fungal species that causes decay in trees. This fungal species is aggressive and causes a white rot within its tree host.
It produces perennial conks anywhere on infected tree trunks and has a brown/tan upper surface and a white underside when fresh, and a creamish tan underside when old. The conks can grow in size over many years. This disease is potentially fatal to the tree and may take years to kill it. This fungus often results in tree failure.
Hosts:
Many landscape and forest trees are susceptible to this disease, including hardwoods.
Biology & Symptoms:
The conks release fungal spores into the wind, which disperse looking for new, susceptible tree hosts. Once a tree is infected with G. applanatum, it’s only a matter of time until the tree succumbs to the fungus.
Management:
Prevention is crucial for this disease due to the lack of curative management options. Try to protect the trunk from wounds and regularly test the trunk for soundness.
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