New outbreaks of charcoal canker on young cork oak trees in Portugal

Abstract: Biscogniauxia mediterranea, the causal agent of charcoal canker, is widely spread inMediterranean region affecting mainly Quercus suber. It has been considered a secondarypathogen that only attacks weakened hosts but, in the last years, we have been witnessing anincreasing number of young vigorous trees exhibiting charcoal canker symptoms in Portugal.Beyond the fungus teleomorphic stage usually present in the infected hosts, it has been frequentlyobserved in young trees its anamorphic stage. The impact of climatic changes on fungaldevelopment and forest vulnerability is discussed, particularly in the Mediterranean scenario.