Opportunities for Addressing Laminated Root Rot Caused By Phellinus Sulphurascens in Washington’s Forests

This report from the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) is in response to a request from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to “identify approaches and opportunities ripe for research on understanding and managing root diseases of Douglas-fir.”

Similar to the process used by the National Research Council, the WSAS upon agreeing to undertake a project such as requested by the DNR assembles a committee of state, regional, national, and/or international experts, as needed; develops a statement of task to guide the study; conducts the study; and makes recommendations based on the findings. The Committee that conducted this study included federal (both U.S. and Canadian), state, university, and private company representation from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

The statement of task based on the DNR request, followed by further discussions with DNR staff, was: The Committee will determine which among the full complex of forest tree root diseases is best suited for further scientific research toward applied management options, with a focus on:

• Understanding its economic, environmental, and ecological impacts;
• Past research that has shaped modern understanding of the disease;
• Contemporary management options and recommendations; and
• Opportunities ripe for research, particularly molecular research, with potential to better inform management options.