Gladkova G.A., Sibirina L.A.
Rastitelnye resursy 2022; 58(2): 124-134
The state of Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) population is assessed based on the data obtained during field studies in Udege Legend National Park. The most common types of trunk damages are indicated: bark injuries and drying cracks, tree-top dieback and hollows. The trees were categorized by health class according to the slightly adjusted current regulations. The legalized external pathological signs used for the tree health categorization are not always applicable for the red-listed species T. cuspidata. Specifically, the color of its needles has had little to no dependence on the tree health class. The pathological characteristics detected in the Japanese yew most often do not lead to tree death, thus few declining trees have been observed. Trees with broken and rotten trunks do not lose their viability, and can continue growing being pressed down. T. cuspidata is characterized by an almost complete absence of wood decay fungi fruiting bodies.
