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All nature lovers are familiar with thegreat profusion of mushrooms that popup in the forest as the fall season pro­gresses. Somehow their ephemeralappearance suggests that they are not animportant part of the scene, and eventheir names suggest they are relatedrather to an unknown half-world ofgoblins and magic. Few people realizethat they have several essential rolesin the forest, performing jobs that noother living thing is equipped to do;and some people do not know accu­rately what a mushroom is or how itperforms its job.

What is a mushroom? It is merely thefruit of the "fungus plant" that pro­duces "seeds" (spores) and then fadesaway. The "fungus plant" itself con­sists of an unseen network of micro­scopic threads (mycelium) that inter­penetrates the habitat-soil, wood, duff,etc. Unlike the fruit that passes awayqu ickly, the mycel ium persists, oftenfor many years, doing its job and send­ing up its annual crop of mushrooms.

2

byDr. AI Funk

poisonous

What are the jobs that the mushroomperforms? The most obvious work isin the area of recycling. Vast amountsof forest debris (fallen trees, branches,leaves, etc.) are continually being turnedback to the elements and cleared fromthe forest floor. Imagine, if you can, aforest in which no debris decays, build­ing up year after year to make an almostinaccessible fire hazard, not to mentionthe lack of recycled minerals for con­tinued growth of the trees. The groupof mushrooms responsible forerecycli.nghave the power to penetrate and break­down lignin and cellulose by enzymaticaction.

About the Author

Alvin Funk is a forest mycologistwho has served 25 years with thePacific Forest Research Centre,specializing in stem diseases ofnative western trees. He becameinterested in the microfungi whileemployed with the NationalResearch Council, Saskatoon andsubsequently entered the graduateschool of the University ofToronto where he received aPh.D. in mycology and plantpathology. His latest publication"Parasitic Microfungi of WesternTrees", published earl ier th is year,describes all known microfungiassociated with stem diseases ofwestern trees and is fully illu­strated by drawings and photo­graphs. Copies are available onrequest by referring to publicationBC-X-222.

Dr. Funk (left) conducts annualmushroom cI inics throughout theprovince, advising amateur mush­room pickers on their finds. Hehas also been called upon by hos­pitals to advise on antidotes forthose who do not heed his warn­ing-"If in doubt, don't eat it".

ab 0 ing water and minerals for thetree. The tree IS greatly benefitted bythis relationship, but the fungus also"takes its pound of flesh", using up to10% of the tree's photosynthate toproduce its crop of mushroom fruits.

poisonous'-=o..-==>-=~_0=001 tb:===-__-=--

The bonus of gastronomic value forhuman consumption is also beingrealized, as the Chanterelle and Pinemushrooms are gathered commercially.The casual collector is warned, however,that mushrooms are not to be taken forgranted and that, without accurateidentification, there could be "death inthe pot". •

In a few cases, mushrooms have turnedto a parasitic existence and cause rootrot and decay of living trees. The "Shoe­string Mushroom" (Armillaria) is one ofthese, usually attacking weakened treesand then spreading out by means ofblack, stringlike rhizomorphs to neigh­boring trees.

Another group of mushrooms form apartnership with the roots of the livingtrees. This symbiotic relationship,known as mycorrhiza (= fungus root),is not obvious to the casual observer,but if roots are exposed, it can be seenthat the fungus has woven a mantleabout the roots. Through this mantleand its widespread network of my­celium, the fungus does the job of

3

NewAppointmentsD. Ross Macdonald, Director, Pacific Forest ResearchCentre, announces the appointment of the followingpeople:

Mr. C.E. "Charlie" Van Wagner, fire research scientist,began a six-month work transfer at PF RC, untilFebruary 1983. He is permanently stationed atPetawawa National Forestry Institute, Chalk River,Ontario, but will be working with the fire group atPF RC and on joint studies involving the BritishColumbia Ministry of Forests while here.

Charlie Van Wagner Mike Hulme Terry Shore

Dr. M.A. "Mike" Hulme, a senior research scientistwho recently transferred to PFRC from CanadianForestry Service Headquarters, is to be the leaderof a new project on biological control at PF RC.Future issues of "Information Forestry" will containmore details on this new project.

Dr. T.L. "Terry" Shore has been appointed PestSurveys Sampling Officer with the Forest Insect andDisease Survey (F IDS) group. He will be responsiblefor developing, testing, and supervising the appl i­cation of statistically sound and efficient proceduresfor sampling forest insect and disease levels and theirsubsequent damage on a regional basis. •

CANADA-USA SIGN COOPERATIVE FORESTRY AGREEMENT

An umbrella agreement in the form of aMemorandum of Understanding on co­operation in the field of forestry wassigned in Washington recently byEnvironment Minister John Robertsand John R. Block, United StatesSecretary of Agriculture.

The purpose of the agreement is todocument and improve technical co­operation and coordination of forestryrelated programs undertaken in the twocountries, avoid duplication, and ensurecompatible data collection.

Mr. Roberts said much has beenaccomplished in the long history of co­operation in forestry between Canadaand the United States. The two coun­tries have traditionally worked togetherin the area of forest protection, ex­changing equipment and informationduring forest fire seasons and carryingout a joint research program on theSpruce Budworm.

4

"I am confident that the coopera­tive nature of our relationship with theUnited States in the field of forestrywill be enhanced through an agreementsuch as this one which provides formalchannels for carrying out work in areasof mutual interest between our twocountries", Mr. Roberts said.

The umbrella agreement allows theleading forestry agencies of the twocountries, the Canadian Forestry Serviceof Environment Canada and the UnitedStates Forest Service, to enter intosupplementary agreements on specificforestry activities.

Mountain Pine Beetle Agreement

A subsidiary agreement relating toresearch, development, and control pro­grams for the mountain pine beetlewas signed six weeks after the umbrellaagreement.

The mountain pine beetle is cur­rently the most damaging insect inwestern Canada, with infestations con­tinuing to spread and intensify, mainlyin the lodgepole pine forests of BritishColumbia and Alberta. The total area ofheavy tree mortality has increased tomore than 230 000 ha. The volume oftimber killed over the past five years isestimated at almost 26 million cubicmetres, or nearly four times the annualharvest in Alberta.

The Canadian Forestry Service,using results from its continuing re­search program, is advising the prov­incial governments and other federaldepartments on methods for managingthis serious forest pest.

Realizing that movements of themountain pine beetle are not restrictedby international boundaries, Environ­ment Canada has negotiated this agree­ment whose major objective is the

New Publications

Copies of these publications may be obtained by filling out theenclosed card and returning it to the PF RC Information Office. • A FRAMEWOR K

FOR FOREST RENEWAL

'...- '-

On September 2, 1982, EnvironmentMinister John Roberts announced theframework for a long-term, compre­hensive program of forest revitalizationin Canada. The program reaffirms theneed for a concerted attack on forestrenewal in order to· meet the woodsupply goal of an increase in productionof at least 40% by the year 2000. Thistarget was adopted by the federalgovernment and the 10 provinces twoyears ago. The details of this policystatement have been published in an8-page bilingual brochure .

PACIFIC FORESTRESEARCH CENTRE

PROGRAMREVIEW

1981 -1982

,.=- =--5" =--

development of a common technologyfor more efficient management of thebeetle. The agreement, which is for afive-year period, will include coopera­tive work on management of beetle­infested or vulnerable stands and onpotential insect control methods.

The Pacific Forest Research Centre(PFRC) in Victoria will be responsiblefor carrying out the terms of the agree­ment in Canada. Various facets of theprogram will be carried out by PFRC'sresearch facilities, with the cooperationof the governments of B.C. and AI berta.Northern Forest Research Centre, Ed­monton will be responsible for im­plementing some aspects of the agree­ment in their own area. In the UnitedStates, the states of Oregon, Washington,Idaho, and Montana are cooperatingwith the Pacific Northwest Station ofthe USDA Forest Service. In both coun­tries, the university community is actingin a consulting and contractual role. •

• PINE SHOOT INSECTSCOMMON IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

David Evans

This publication is designed to aid nur­sery, plantation, and forestry workersin the identification of shoot insectson native pines, particularly thoseinsects of economic significance.

BC-X-233

• THE WESTERN HEMLOCKLOOPER IN BRITISH COLUMBIA­1911-1980

John W.E. Harris, A.F. Dawson,and R.G. Brown

This report describes the history ofwestern hemlock looper outbreaks inB.C., summarizing tree damage since1911 and larval populations since 1949.

BC-X-234

• PROGRAM REVIEW-1981/82-PACI FIC FOREST RESEARCH CENTRE

Th is report on forest research andoperations at the Pacific Forest Re­search Centre reflects the progress madeduring the fiscal year 1981/82 in achiev­ing program objectives in British Colum­bia and the Yukon.

BC-X-235

• CANADA'S FORESTS 1981

Statistical informationon world forestry data,wood volume by prov­ince and territory andspecies, primary forestproduction by productand by product andterritory, ex ports, etc.,are presented in thisbrochure.

5

* "Framework for Forest Renewal" is available by checking off the appropriate box on the return publications reply card.

development and relations group

~is being formed to undertake

I administration of the existingagreement and the recently im­

\.,) A plemented forestry job creation-~ programs, as well as the plan-

ning and development of newagreements and improving com­munications and relations withforestry sector clients in theregion.

It is expected the new program will be fully oper­

ational early in 1983, once staffing has been com­pleted. •

The new forestry developmentand relations group will be head­ed by a senior manager reportingdirectly to the Regional Director,

Ross Macdonald, who will be supported by six newprofessional staff, as well as the existing forest eco­nomics and job creation project staff already onstrength (see organization chart on opposite page).An additional three positions are being added tothe Administration Section to provide the necessarysupport.

"We will be looking for candidates who have demon­strated their commitment to forest renewal and areeager to work in a dynamic program in cooperationwith colleagues in the provincial forest service,industry, and our own scientists to meet the chal­lenges of ensuring the long-term viability of B.C.'sforests," said Mr. Macdonald.

Some of these positions will be filled by staff trans­ferring from DR EE. However, Ross Macdonald statedhe expected most of the professional positions to befilled by foresters who will be coming into the PublicService from other sectors.

The agreement, which was signedin May 1979, called for $50million to be spent jointly byCanada and British Columbia onintensive forest managementover five years to supplementongoing programs in the province. Specifically, it wasdesigned to intensify the job-creating potential of theforest resource and increase the wood yield beyondthat secured by the Ministry of Forests' normal forestregeneration program.

As a means of strengthening the federal government'scommitment to a long-term, comprehensive programof forest revitalization, Environment Minister JohnRoberts, responsible for the Canadian Forestry Ser­vice, recently announced a new policy to be known asliThe Framework for Forest Renewal"*. This frame­work will form the basis for new development agree­ments and for broader responsibilities for the CanadianForestry Service in the region in relation to itsclients and to other federal departments. It reaffirmsthe need for a concerted attack on forest renewal inCanada in order to meet the wood supply goal of anincrease in production of at least 40% by the year2000-a target adopted by the federal governmentand the 10 provinces two years ago.

These new responsibilities have resulted in a strength­ening of the Canadian Forestry Service at the regionallevel. At the Pacific Forest Research Centre, a forestry

On September 3, 1982, federalresponsibility for the Canada/British Columbia SubsidiaryAgreement on Intensive ForestManagement was officially trans­ferred to the Canadian ForestryService from the Department ofRegional Economic Expansion(DREE).

ore Staff Added to ImplementNew Forest Renewal Program

6

Deputy Directorand

Environmental ForestryResearch and Service

C.E. Brown

Forest Resou rcesResearch and Service

?

Forest ProtectionResearch and Service

Dr. C.D.F. Miller

Public and TechnicalInformation Services

Elaine Teske

-

-

-

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

D. Ross Macdonald

I1

ForestryDevelopment and Relations

?

Senior AgreementsImplementation Officer

?

IAgreements

Implementation Officer

?

SeniorForestry Relations Officer

?

ITechnology

Transfer Officer

Senior Economist

Dr. G.H. Manning

I---..[~Socioeconomic Analyst

?

Economist

W. White

Administration Services

J.J. Ellis-

?

Job CreationProgram Officer

D. Mills

-Senior Program Planner

?

7

laboratory exercises in subjects such asseed biology and management, treeimprovement, and plant propagation.Practical courses included 40 hours oftree climbing techniques.

Papran "Jack" Pukitayakamee, a for­estry technical officer with the Thai

Royal Forest Department, and Manolito"Nolie" Ragud, a Filipino employed atthe Bureau of Forest Development,are spending two months at the PacificForest Research Centre, under thedirection of tree seed special ist,Dr. George Edwards. Both haveBachelor of Science degrees in forestryand several years of work experience.

Slavoj Eis (glasses) and George Edwards (right) provide advice to "Jack" and"Nolle" during their three-month training at PFRC.

Canadian Seed ExpertsAssist Thai Government

Dr. Slavoj Eis, an ecologist at the PacificForest Research Centre (PFRC), andMr. AI Hedlin, an entomologist whorecently retired from PF RC, are two offour Canadian forestry experts chosento assist in the establishment of a ForestTree Seed Centre in Thailand.

Because of the importance of tropicalhardwoods to the economies of South­east Asian countries, Canada, lead bythe Canadian International Develop­ment Agency (CIDA), is assisting theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) in the establishment of thisCentre which will also benefit thecountries of Indonesia, Malaysia, thePhilippines, and Singapore.

Dr. Eis and Mr. Hedlin will be joinedby Dr. K. Helium, a silviculturist fromthe University of Alberta, Edmonton,and Dr. N. Dhir, a genetist with theAlberta Forest Service, Pine Ridge, onone-year assignments to assist in thedevelopment of this program at theresearch centre which is located in the

8

Sara Buri district approximately 100miles north of Bankok.

The purpose of the Centre will be toserve as a resource for training in foresttree seed and silviculture research. TheCanadians will also assist in the develop­ment of forest tree seed orchards inASEAN countries in order to provideadequate su pplies of qual ity seeds ofselected species used in afforestationand reforestation. They will also be res­ponsible for strengthening ASEANtechnical competence in tree nurseryand forest plantation research anddevelopment through training programs.

Part of Canada's contribution to theCentre consists of the provision ofshort-term, practical training of ASEANforesters at various Canadian forestryestablishments in British Columbia,Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick.Fourteen of these foresters arrived inCanada in mid-August to commencethis training which consisted of 100hours of instruction, lectures, and

Under Dr. Edward's guidance, theyhave been gaining hundreds of hoursof hands-on work experience in a seedlaboratory. They are also assisting heand his technician, Doug Taylor, with aresearch project and will be able toapply this experience when they returnto work in their native countries. CI DAis equipping the Forest Tree SeedCentre with Canadian scientific andlaboratory equipment so they should betotally familiar with the newly-acquired

. equ ipment. •

r

INFORMATIONFORESTRY

Published quarterly by:

Environment CanadaCanadian Forestry Service

Pacific Forest Research Centre506 West Burnside Road

Victoria, British ColumbiaV8Z 1M5

388-3811, local 119

Editor Elaine TeskeDesign John Wiens

Distribution Blanche Page