Why is it important to understand aging and the decay process when assessing the management of old trees?
Trees do not have a fixed life span, however in natural conditions trees pass through three life phases. The ancient stage is reached when the successive growth increments have a reducing cross sectional area but the tree is still increasing in girth. The crown dies back and branches may be lost so leaf area is reduced and less photosynthesis takes place. This stage may be the longest in the life of the tree. The process of decay in trees is just starting to be understood. What is clear is that fungi have a fundamental role in the process. Wood has a very complex chemical structure and is very indigestible. It is the fungi, which start the process breaking the wood down into simpler molecules so that other organisms can take advantage of them. Unfortunately as the fruiting body of the fungus is the only part to be seen they are regularly misinterpreted. A minority of fungi are a primary cause of death. Decay and the resultant hollowing of a tree is part of a re- cycling process re- lea
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