Dimensional and genetic characterization of the last oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis L.) of historical sites in Lazio (central Italy)

In central Italy, Platanus orientalis L. specimens characterize many gardens in urban and suburban villas. In this research, centuries-old oriental plane trees were studied in different historical sites of Lazio according to the COVE (COnservation of VEteran trees) multidisciplinary model. Historical sources, morphological and dendrometric aspects, crown quality, genetic traits of each specimen, as well as their susceptibility to the canker stain disease, were investigated. Platanus orientalis was clearly distinguished from P. occidentalis and their hybrid P. acerifolia through molecular tools. UPGMA analysis based on SSR and ISSR molecular markers clustered the plane trees in different sub-groups, probably according to the different sites of sampling. These findings, supported by historical and morphological data collected in the considered sites, showed that almost all the trees studied are a small remnant of those planted in the period running from the second half of XVI century to the first decades of XVII century. Plant health conditions diverge within and among the sites inspected. Past-prolonged severe pruning treatments of trees located near the main monuments affected their growth, causing faster and premature senescence. However, the management of historical gardens has so far led to an efficient prevention of Ceratocystis platani introduction, spread and establishment. This study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to interpret the present status of the ancient tree asset within historical sites and let the past become a lesson for the future in a broader scenario of conservation and management of cultural heritage.     

Conservation of veteran trees within historical gardens (COVE): a case study applied to Platanus orientalis L. in central Italy

Many veteran trees characterize the landscape of Mediterranean historical parks and gardens, representing unique values from ecological, cultural, social and historical points of view. The absence of natural regeneration is one of the main limits for their conservation. The main purpose of this research was to combine theoretical reasoning and practical solutions to maintain this rich tree heritage. A protocol based on an interdisciplinary approach was developed and applied to the plane trees (Platanus spp.) within the formal garden of Villa Lante of Bagnaia (Viterbo, Italy). The COVE analysis consisted of the following four phases: i) selection of veteran tree species after gathering and comparing historical information; ii) taxonomic identification based on morphological and molecular analyses; iii) tree inventory in GIS environment; and iv) vegetative propagation by woody cuttings and micropropagation.The plane trees surveyed grow on three level terraces and significantly differ in size and phytosanitary conditions according to their topographic position. Molecular analyses indicated a genetic uniformity for the plane trees studied and their memberships to P. orientalis species. This evidence suggests that all specimens belong to the original planting dating back to 1576. All individuals showed a high susceptibility to the pathogen Ceratocystis platani even though so far there is no evidence of canker stain attack. Woody cuttings from the most vigorous individual showed 80% rooting rates. In vitro micropropagation using node culture approach provided healthy plants, maintaining the genetic fidelity respect to mother plant after three years of culture. The obtained results represent a successful example of integrated research for germplasm conservation and management of veteran trees within historical villas in Central Italy.     

Sooty canker,a destructive disease of banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.) trees in landscapes of Kish Island (Iran)

Ficus benghalensis L (banyan tree) has been planted as ornamental tree in parks, landscapes as well as along roads and streets in many southern cities of Iran. During field surveys conducted in Kish Island (Hormozgān province) an unusual decline was noticed on F. benghalensis. Affected trees exhibited bark necrosis, peeled off bark and cankers on branches and aerial roots, yellowing and defoliation, branch dieback and eventually death. A black sooty mass of fungal spores under the bark as well as wood discoloration in cross sections were also observed on infected parts of trees and pruning wood debris. Samples were collected from all affected parts of trees showing disease symptoms, pruning wood debris as well as rove arthropods in close proximity to the trees for the presence of fungal inoculum. In this study 239 Botryosphaeriaceae-like isolates were obtained from discoloured wood tissues, pruning wood debris and from the bodies of collected arthropods. Based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data of ITS and tef-1α gene regions, isolates were identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. Pathogenicity of both species was performed on the branches of banyan trees and L. theobromae was more virulent, based on the length of necrotic lesions in the wood, than those of N. dimidiatum. This study is the first report of N. dimidiatum associated with sooty canker and dieback of F. benghalensis worldwide. Our study showed for the first time that L. theobromae and N. dimidiatum can also be associated with some arthropods. Our outcomes can improve the management strategies of trunk diseases caused by Botryosphaeriaceae species on ornamental trees in landscapes.     

Urban salt contamination impact on tree health and the prevalence of fungi agent in cities of the central Lithuania

An analysis of tree health in urban greeneries exposed to winter road salt contamination was carried out in the cities of Alytus and Kaunas, Lithuania, during spring and summer 2009–2014. Trees were assessed for crown dieback, crown defoliation and foliage discolouration. In addition, the prevalence of saprotrophic pathogenic fungi that cause sooty mold disease was assessed in street and recreational plantings. Tilia cordata Mill. (small-leaved lime) was found to be the most common tree species among urban deciduous trees. Summarising the tree foliage results, saprotrophic fungi were detected on 16 species plants belonging to 13 genera. Three species of fungal pathogens belonging to two genera, two families, two classes, and two divisions, and 12 species of anamorphic fungi from nine genera were isolated and identified from Tilia cordata leaves. The most frequent sooty mold disease agents were Aspergillus brasiliensis and Cladosporium herbarum. Nonetheless, a weak correlation between salt contamination and lime tree damage by sooty mold was found.     

Needle disinfection and bioptic wood sampling achieved with a disposable for drill resistance measurement devices

Needle drill resistance measurement devices (NDRMDs) are often used during tree hazard assessment campaigns to detect and measure the extent of wood decay and other defects of wood in trees, despite of the possibility of transmission of potentially pathogenic microbial inoculum from tree to tree through unclean needles. Here, we describe a disposable connectable to NDRMDs through an adapter and we report on its efficacy not only at disinfecting the needle, thus reducing the likelihood of disease transmission, but also at collecting wood samples for bioptic purposes, whose subsequent analysis may be pivotal for, or allow to refine, the prognosis. The complete efficacy of the disposable at disinfecting the needle was determined through three different experiments conducted under controlled conditions in vitro and in vivo using both wood decay fungi and the canker stain pathogen of plane trees, and under field conditions. The disposable combined with NDRMD proved to be as effective as state-of-the-art drilling methods at collecting wood samples for subsequent PCR-based molecular diagnosis of wood decay fungi (Fisher’s exact test for count data; P = 4.846 × 10⁻⁷) as determined through comparative sampling and diagnostic assays on 42 trees. The disposable allows not only for a routinely, complete and fully standardized disinfection of the needle, but also provides the opportunity to automatically and efficiently collect bioptic wood samples for subsequent phytopathological analyses.     

Betrachtung möglicher Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf Schadpilze im Obstbau am Beispiel von Fruchtfäuleerregern an Äpfeln

Whereas the rise in temperature during the past 30–40 years has already had clear impacts on the phenology of fruit trees and pathogenic insects, there is a lack of such correlations for fungal pathogens. An examination of fruit rots indicates that pathogenic fungi react differentially to climate change due to their complex infection biology. The appearance of the black rot fungus Diplodia seriata in Northwestern Europe is best explained by rising temperatures during the vegetation period. An increase in fruit rot caused by Nectria galligena is anticipated when milder and more humid winter months favour canker formation on twigs and branches, thereby increasing inoculum for fruit infections. An increasing importance of Neofabraea alba and Glomerella cingulata and/or G.??acutata as storage rots of apples in Northern Germany cannot be safely correlated with the climate change at present. Research on fungi is currently being expanded at the OVB Jork in order to ensure a faster identification of new pathogens and a more thorough investigation of relevant features of their infection biology.     

Antifungal effects of iron sulfate on grapevine fungal pathogens

The present study aimed to determine the most efficient experimental conditions of iron sulfate use leading to optimal inhibition in the development of fungal pathogens. Assays have been focused on fungal species inducing severe grapevine diseases. FeSO₄ directly inhibited the in vitro mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, Eutypa lata, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Diplodia seriata, and Neofusicoccum parvum with variable efficiency in the range of 0.5–10 mM. The development was always completely inhibited at 20 mM. This inhibitory effect was greatly increased at acidic pH values. The anionic moiety of the molecule was of importance since bromide, chloride and sulfate were highly active, whereas acetate and oxalate showed a small effect. Electron microscope observations on E. lata and B. cinerea showed that a treatment with FeSO₄ induced dramatic changes in the hyphal organization leading to cell death. No toxicity was observed on grapevine leaves following repeated FeSO₄ sprays in the antifungal concentration range. Therefore, FeSO₄ may be proposed to effectively replace the long-term pollutant use of CuSO₄ as an antifungal agent, with the additional advantage of iron being an important plant micronutrient.     

Ursache des Triebsterbens an Heidelbeeren in Norddeutschland: Schadpilze oder Winterfrost?

In the summer of 2010 and during the following two seasons, a twig dieback of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) was observed in southern Lower Saxony especially in younger plantations of the variety ‘Duke’. The sudden onset of a chlorosis and necrosis of individual twigs was associated with a destruction of the vascular cambium and with longitudinal streaks of brown discolourations in the xylem tissue deposited during the previous year. New shoots were often formed from the intact roots and from regions of older twigs located immediately above the soil surface. Potentially pathogenic fungi, including Godronia cassandrae, Phomopsis spp., Diplodia seriata, Pestalotiopsis sp., Paraconiothyrium sporulosum, Colletotrichum acutatum, Fusarium avenaceum and F. lateritium, were found sporadically on dead twigs, each fungus being present in 6 or fewer of the 12 plantations surveyed. Winter frost damage of xylem tissues was determined to be the main cause of the disease, facilitated by a delayed termination of vegetative growth which led to a lack of winter hardiness at the time-point of the first serious frost events.     

Both native and invasive bark beetles threaten exotic conifers within the spa towns in the Czech part of “The Great Spas of Europe”

Exotic coniferous trees in forests adjacent to spa towns and in parks within spa towns are increasingly being attacked by outbreak populations of native bark beetles in western Bohemia (Central Europe). In the 12 localities in western Czech Republic the current study, we detected a total of 19 native bark beetle species infesting more than 10 % of exotic tree species in the genera Abies, Picea, Pinus, and Pseudotsuga in 1 year. Several exotic tree species were identified as new hosts for native European bark beetles. We also identified three non-native bark beetles, including Phloeosinus aubei, a species that transmits the pathogens that cause cypress canker disease.The numbers of infested trees in the localities were not correlated with the distance from surrounding bark beetle outbreak sites in commercial forests, because all forests adjacent to spas and all forests in spa towns (i.e., “urban forests”) are close to commercial forests with infested trees. Infestations were greater in spa towns than in the forests adjacent to spa towns. We therefore assume that trees within spa towns will be further attacked due to the increasing abundance of native bark beetles.     

Biology and control of the apple canker fungus Neonectria ditissima (syn. N. galligena) from a Northwestern European perspective

A review of apple canker caused by Neonectria ditissima is presented for Northwestern Europe with a focus on the Lower Elbe region (Northern Germany). Whereas conidia released by rainsplash are produced mainly from spring to autumn, the liberation of wind-borne ascospores peaks in autumn and/or early spring. Infection occurs via natural as well as pruning-induced wounds, some of which are present throughout the year. Autumnal leaf scars are the most frequent entry point for N. ditissima. Wounds on tree trunks, especially bark cracks in the crotch regions, are potentially even more serious because cankers on trunks and leader shoots commonly cause the total loss of a tree. Surface moisture is a prerequisite for leaf scar infections but possibly not for an entry through other wounds. Irrespective of the entry route, successful infection of a wound requires a mass inoculum of at least 50–100 conidia or ascospores. Infections of trees originating in nurseries may enter a state of latency from which they can break out up to 3 years after the trees have been explanted into the production orchard. Streaks of brown wood discolourations can be caused both by systemic colonisation of the xylem by N. ditissima and by winter frost damage. Apple varieties may show pronounced differences in their sensitivity to canker. For highly susceptible varieties, this disease can be a major production-limiting factor. Flower infections by N. ditissima commonly lead to a pre-harvest rot at the blossom end of the fruit, whereas infections of the growing fruit before harvest lead to a storage rot. Rigorous pruning is an essential canker control measure. Chemical control during the growing season is achieved by apple scab fungicides such as dithianone, captan or dodine. At leaf fall and in winter, copper fungicides are indispensible for controlling canker on highly susceptible varieties in Northern Germany.     

Incidence and intensity of tree infestation by the mistletoe Erianthemum dregei (Eckl. & Zeyh.) V. Tieghem in Durban,South Africa

Relatively few studies have investigated mistletoe infestation of tree species in urban settings, and even fewer considered infestation of alien tree species. Here, mistletoe infestation incidence and intensity were studied in Durban, South Africa. The relationship of infestation to tree CBH and height was examined in detail for the mistletoe species Erianthemum dregei. Although E. dregei is known to have a wide range of host taxa, we report E. dregei infestation on 27 new host species for the first time. E. dregei occurred on 30 host species with a preference for the alien host tree Melia azedarach in our study area. The relationship between infestation and CBH indicated that the trees (irrespective of species) of ≥200 cm were more susceptible to the mistletoe attack. The implications of this pattern, as well as those of high host diversity and especially of infestation of alien trees are discussed in a conservation perspective.     

Reponses of mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) trees to continuous and cyclical flooding in calcareous soil

Physiological and growth responses of ‘Pantin’ and ‘Magana’ mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) trees to continuous and cyclical flooding were studied in a series of experiments. Trees were grown in containers in a very gravelly loam soil and were subjected to continuous flooding of the root zone for 30–66 days (Experiments 1 and 2) or alternating flooding–unflooding cycles for 50 days (Experiments 3–5). For all experiments, the control treatment consisted of nonflooded trees. Net CO₂ assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance (g_s) decreased within 3 days of continuous flooding and internal CO₂ concentration was significantly higher in leaves of flooded than nonflooded plants. In the cyclic flooding experiments, trees were flooded in 3- to 6-day cycles and then unflooded for the same time periods. Stomatal conductance and A decreased within 3 days of flooding, leaf epinasty occurred between days 5 and 10, leaf senescence and abscission occurred between days 15 and 30, and branch dieback and tree death occurred between days 30 and 60. Three cycles of 3-day flooding and 3-day recovery of trees had little effect on leaf gas exchange of ‘Magaña’ trees. Similarly, ‘Pantin’ trees survived 3 cycles of 6 days of flooding interspersed with 3–6 days of recovery despite consistent decreases in g_s and A during flooding. Stomatal conductance and A of both mamey sapote cultivars decreased within a few days of flooding and this species appears to have intermediate flooding tolerance compared with other tropical fruit crops based on tree survival.     

Diversity of street tree populations in larger Danish municipalities

Healthy and sustainable tree populations require a high diversity of genera and species. This study examined the occurrence and contents of tree inventories in Denmark's 30 largest municipalities. 59% of the municipalities had a tree inventory for street trees, but only about half of these were complete and updated. Only one municipality had a registration for trees other than street trees. Based on data from the tree inventories, the diversity of road side trees was analyzed at genus level and species level. A total of 82,072 street trees are part of the study. 11 different genera account for 92% of the total street tree stock, and 2–6 genera account for 40–80% of the street tree stock in the individual municipalities. Tilia was the most dominating genera (26%). 12 species account for 73% of the total street tree stock. The 6 most common species account for almost 50% of the total tree population. The species representing the largest numbers were Tilia × europaea (12%), Acer platanoides (10.9%), Platanus × acerifolia (7.2%), Tilia cordata (7.2%), Fraxinus excelsior (6.2%) and Sorbus intermedia (5.9%). The four most urbanized municipalities had a surplus of non-native species, but all municipalities apart from one had most street trees belonging to native species. The concluding recommendation of this study is that tree managers need to start working more strategic with their tree stock, in order to reduce the vulnerability, due to potential attacks from pests or diseases and climate change effects. A risk spreading system for the urban tree population is proposed, suggesting that no genera should account for more than 10% and no species for more than 5% of the tree population.     

An index to identify suitable species in urban green areas

This paper presents a method that allows sorting of tree and shrub species according to their suitability for planting in urban areas of Madrid (Spain). Suitability was determined from a weighted index for each species according to the severity of damage (biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic; stem wounds are the main problem in trees, while dead plants are the most important problem in shrubs, seasonal flowers, and vines) and to risk, which was obtained from a new measure, observed Species per Green Area per Year (SAYs). The greater the number of damaged SAYs, the less suitable a species was considered for outdoor planting. For this purpose, 49 green areas corresponding to 141 ha were sampled during 2005–2008. The tree species least recommended for planting include Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus sp., Acer negundo, Platanus × hybrid, Populus Boolleana. The shrubs least recommended for planting are Nerium oleander, Cotoneaster sp., Euonymus europaeus, Pyracantha coccinea, and Pittosporum tobira. Statistical analysis reveals that native species have a lower percentage of damaged SAYs than non-native species.     

Contrasting natural regeneration and tree planting in fourteen North American cities

Field data from randomly located plots in 12 cities in the United States and Canada were used to estimate the proportion of the existing tree population that was planted or occurred via natural regeneration. In addition, two cities (Baltimore and Syracuse) were recently re-sampled to estimate the proportion of newly established trees that were planted. Results for the existing tree populations reveal that, on average, about 1 in 3 trees are planted in cities. Land uses and tree species with the highest proportion of trees planted were residential (74.8 percent of trees planted) and commercial/industrial (61.2 percent) lands, and Gleditsia triacanthos (95.1 percent) and Pinus nigra (91.8 percent). The percentage of the tree population planted is greater in cities developed in grassland areas as compared to cities developed in forests and tends to increase with increased population density and percent impervious cover in cities. New tree influx rates ranged from 4.0 trees/ha/yr in Baltimore to 8.6 trees/ha/yr in Syracuse. About 1 in 20 trees (Baltimore) and 1 in 12 trees (Syracuse) were planted in newly established tree populations. In Syracuse, the recent tree influx has been dominated by Rhamnus cathartica, an exotic invasive species. Without tree planting and management, the urban forest composition in some cities will likely shift to more pioneer or invasive tree species in the near term. As these species typically are smaller and have shorter life-spans, the ability of city systems to sustain more large, long-lived tree species may require human intervention through tree planting and maintenance. Data on tree regeneration and planting proportions and rates can be used to help determine tree planting rates necessary to attain desired tree cover and species composition goals.     

Urban density does not impact tree growth and canopy cover in native species in Melbourne,Australia

Trees provide multiple ecosystem services in urban centers and increases in tree canopy cover is a key strategy for many municipalities. However, urban trees also experience multiple stresses and tree growth can be impacted by urban density and impervious surfaces. We investigated the impact of differences in urban form on tree growth in the City of Merri-bek, a local government area in metropolitan Melbourne, which is the temperate climate zone. Merri-bek has a gradient in population density and urban greenness from north to south, and we hypothesized that tree growth in the southern areas would be lower because trees were more likely to have less access to water with high levels of impervious surfaces. We selected three common native evergreen species, Eucalyptus leucoxylon, Melaleuca linariifolia, and Lophostemon confertus that exhibit differences in climate vulnerability and assessed the tree canopy expansion in four urban density zones in Merri-bek between 2009 and 2020 using aerial image analysis. The differences in urban form did not significantly influence tree canopy growth and all species showed similar canopy expansion rates. However, smaller trees showed a greater relative canopy increase in the ten years, whereas larger trees had a greater absolute canopy growth. Thus, older and larger trees should be protected and maintained to achieve the canopy expansion. Our study indicated that differences in urban form are unlikely to have major impacts on the growth and canopy expansion of well adapted native tree species in open, suburban centers.     

Spatial distribution of saplings in heavily worn urban forests: Implications for regeneration and management

We studied the spatial distribution of saplings in the vicinity of other saplings and mature trees in heavily worn urban forests. Our aim was to identify favorable microsites for saplings to regenerate under different levels of wear. We hypothesized that these safe microsites were situated close to tree trunks that might offer shelter from trampling caused by humans and their pet dogs. The distribution of saplings was explored at 0.1–0.6 m to the nearest sapling and 0.1–2 m to the nearest mature tree. Sorbus aucuparia was the most abundant sapling species, followed by Populus tremula, Betula pubescens and Picea abies. These species all tended to cluster with their conspecific saplings and were generally randomly distributed with respect to mature trees. Saplings of S. aucuparia and P. tremula favored growing close to mature P. abies (already at 0.4–0.8 up to 2 m from the trunk base, respectively) and S. aucuparia trees (at 0.2–0.4 m up to 2 m). Betula sp. and Acer platanoides grew close to Pinus sylvestris trees. Furthermore, with increased levels of wear, saplings clustered more likely together and close to tree trunks. The results are contrary to the gap regeneration hypothesis known from rural unworn forests where saplings often grow in canopy gaps. We suggest the idea of a ‘sheltering group’, i.e. tree groups and thickets of densely growing conspecific saplings, for the maintenance of regeneration of saplings and other vegetation in heavily worn recreational forests. Since urban forestry may strongly affect the existence and spatial location of a high variety of microhabitats, small-scale spatial exploration is needed to identify microsites that offer opportunities for natural regeneration under heavy recreational use. To maintain natural regeneration and the survival of saplings in worn urban forests, we recommend microhabitat-level species-specific forest management.     

A citywide survey of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa spatial distribution in Orléans (France)

There is a growing recognition that urban trees provide various valuable benefits and services such as enhanced human wellbeing. However, they also have a cost in terms of public health either directly (allergies) or by harboring species representing health risk for humans. This paper focuses on such a forest insect species, the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. Its caterpillars develop gregariously during winter in a conspicuous silk nest in coniferous hosts. When disturbed, the larvae release urticating hairs that cause human or animal serious health problems. The purpose of our survey was to (1) inventory all individual trees belonging to potential host species and estimate the density of T. pityocampa (2) assess the spatial pattern of the insect population at the city scale. We conducted an exhaustive inventory of potential coniferous host trees in five municipalities (ca. 5000 ha) in the north of Orléans, France. Each tree was identified, geo-referenced and the number of moth nests it hosted was counted. A total of 9321 urban trees representing 11 coniferous taxonomic units were investigated. The distribution of T. pityocampa exhibited a marked spatial structure citywide. Geostatistics allowed to draw risk maps revealing strong patchiness. We provide the first estimate of T. pityocampa host tree preference in an urban context and found that Pinus nigra, P. pinaster and P. sylvestris were the most attacked trees. We also report numerous cases of T. pityocampa occurrence on the exotic ornamental Himalayan cedar Cedrus deodara. The management implications of our findings are two-fold: (1) risk maps constitute a useful framework for communication and public information, and can help developing control strategies; (2) some species frequently used for ornamental purposes are poor quality hosts regarding T. pityocampa and should therefore be preferred in public place usually frequented by vulnerable people (schools, nurseries, hospitals).     

Defect-disorder and risk assessment of heritage trees in urban Hong Kong

Heritage trees in a city, echoing factors conducive to outstanding performance, deserve special care and conservation. To understand their structural and health conditions in urban Hong Kong, 30 defect-disorder (DD) symptoms (physical and physiological) subsumed under four tree-position groups (soil-root, trunk, branching, and crown-foliage) and tree hazard rating were evaluated. The surveyed 352 trees included 70 species; 14 species with 233 trees were native. More trees had medium height (10–15 m), medium DBH (1–1.5 m) and large crown (>15 m). In ten habitats, public park and garden (PPG) accommodated the most trees, and roadside traffic island (RTI) and public housing estate (PH) had the least. Tree dimensions and tree habitats were significantly associated. The associations between the 2831 DD and tree-position groups, tree habitats and tree hazard rating were analyzed. Fourteen trees from Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens and Gleditsia fera had high hazard rating, 179 trees from 22 species moderate rating, and 159 trees from 55 species low rating. RTI, roadside tree strip (RTS), roadside tree pit (RTP), roadside planter (RP) and stone wall (SW) had more moderate hazard rating, and PPG, roadside slope (RS) and government, institutional and community land (GIC) more low rating. Redundancy analysis showed that DD were positively correlated with RTS, RTP, RP and SW, but negatively correlated with PPG, RS and GIC (p < 0.05). The DD significantly increased tree hazard rating and failure potential. Future management implications for heritage-tree conservation and enhancement focusing squarely on critical tree defect-disorder in urban Hong Kong were explored, with application to other compact cities.     

Can pruning help maintain vitality of ash trees affected by ash dieback in urban landscapes?

Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causes a destructive invasive tree disease known as ash dieback threatening the survival of common ash not only in the forests, but also in urban and landscape settings. Pruning is a potential management practice that could help maintain tree vitality and aesthetics in parks, gardens, alleys and recreation areas, as well as maintaining veteran trees having high heritage or cultural value, or trees with high genetic importance (e.g. located in clonal seed orchards). In this study we investigated the maximum distance proximal to the lesion margin at which H. fraxineus can be detected on individual branches infected by the fungus in order to provide recommendations for pruning. Pruning of branches was carried out on 38 trees in southern Sweden. Tissue samples including bark and wood were collected from the margin of the lesion and at 5 cm intervals proximal to the lesion. Molecular analysis revealed presence of H. fraxineus in 91.3% of the investigated lesions. The proportion of lesions at which H. fraxineus could be detected declined with increasing distance from the lesion margin, with a significant reduction in the number of positive samples at 10 cm proximal to the margin. At 30 cm from the lesion edge the pathogen was never detected. Our results suggest that routine pruning may help maintain the vitality of younger trees. Pruning branches at least 35 cm from visible, active lesions in the bark should exclude the fungus and therefore reduce the probability of stem infection by H. fraxineus, however this cultural control tactic may only be economically feasible for high value amenity trees.