First report of Cryptostroma corticale in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent of sooty bark disease of sycamore has recently been reported for the first time. The fungus was found in firewood that had been produced in September 2013 from an Acer pseudoplatanus tree in the province of Noord Holland. A preliminary risk analysis was conducted and highlighted that this fungus which originates from North America has been recorded in several European countries (e.g. Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom), that it is naturally spreading via airborne spores, and that tree death is expected to occur only occasionally (i.e. after hot and dry summers). Therefore the Dutch NPPO concluded that no particular measures had to be taken against C. corticale.
The pest status of Cryptostroma corticale in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2014-04).