Wood and tree fungi : biology, damage, protection, and use /

Schmidt (Univ. of Hamburg) offers an excellent, extensive treatment of the interactions of fungi with wood and trees, with a valuable chapter on damage by viruses and bacteria. He thoroughly considers the biology of fungi to include morphology, cytology, and physiology, not only in relation to the deterioration of wood in use, but also for tree pathogens. Schmidt even gives some attention to mycorrhizae and lichens. His expertise is evidenced by over 50 of his own papers, cited in the list of more than 1,400 references. The book is translated from the German edition (1994), corrected, and updated with state-of-the art chemical, molecular, and genetic methods of fungus identification/wood protection; it includes many Web sources. The volume covers thoroughly both fungus classification and identification, with an excellent key to house-rot fungi as an appendix. With its distinctly European/German emphasis, it incorporates many foreign terms, which are always well explained. The translation does occasionally result in slightly peculiar wording and phrasing. This beautifully presented book contains numerous illustrations, diagrams, figures, and tables, including color plates, which aid readers' understanding. It will be very useful for scientists, teachers, and other professionals in the field of wood protection and forest pathology. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. D. L. Richter Michigan Technological University