Determination of wood decay fungi and their intensities on urban trees in Çankırı

This thesis was conducted in order to identify and determine the intensities of the wood decay fungi, those capable of reducing the stability and fracture-resistance of urban trees in Çankırı city centre. During surveillance surveys aiming at detecting the wood decay fungi occurring on urban trees, a total of 59 fungal fruit bodies were collected from 53 trees. Based on ITS and LSU DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., Cerioporus squamosus (Huds.) Quél. (sin.: Polyporus squamosus (Huds.) Fr), Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Kumm. sp., Cyclocybe aegerita sensu lato (V. Brig.)Vizzini, Schizophyllum commune Fr. and Coprinellus micaceus (Bull.) Vilgalys, Hopple & Jacq. Johnson were identified on urban trees in Çankırı city centre. Following identifications, the intensities of these fungi on urban trees planted along 10 main streets in city centre were determined through systematic surveys. A total of 630 trees were investigated and fungi were detected on 10 % of the trees (66 fruit bodies). I. hispidus and C. squamosus were the most common wood decay fungi on urban trees (45 and 15 % respectively). Both species are recognized among common and dangerous pathogenic wood decay fungi of urban trees worldwide. Among 19 tree species investigated, the frequencies of fruit bodies were highest on Fraxinus spp. (38%), followed by Acer negundo (32%) and Platanus orientalis (15%). I. hispidus was the only fungus detected on Fraxinus spp.. On A. negundo, C. aegerita s.l. and C. squamosus being the most common, other fungi were also observed. I. hispidus and C. squamosus were also detected on P. orientalis, yet relatively rarely. High frequencies of I. hispidus and C. squamosus on Fraxinus spp. and A. negundo can be related to high frequencies of pruning wounds on this hosts. However, in this thesis work, neither the degree of damage nor the factors underlying intensities of these fungi were questioned. In Turkey, including those in urban areas, numerous wood decay fungi were identified on living trees. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, the intensities of wood decay fungi were not investigated or their impacts on tree health and public safety were not considered before this work in Turkey.