Resistance of Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis) Branch Wood to Two Wood Decay Fungi

Abstract

Wood of the larger yews (Taxus spp.) is reported to be decay-resistant, but little is known about the decay resistance of Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis Marsh.) wood. Branch wood from Canada Yew was compared to branch wood from Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.) and Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) in a standard laboratory decay test to evaluate its resistance to decay by two decay fungi. Canada Yew was shown to be significantly more resistant to decay by Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murr. (a brown rot fungus) and Trametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Quél. (a white rot fungus) than Northern Red Oak (P ≤ 0.05). Canada Yew was shown to be equal to Eastern White Cedar in resistance to decay by G. trabeum and more than twice as resistant to decay by Trametes versicolor (P ≤ 0.05). These results may have relevance for survival of Canada Yew, which is under pressure from browsing by White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).