What is developing at the base of this peach tree?
Armillaria Root rot.
Rob Last, ©2025, Clemson Extension
What Is Armillaria Root Rot?
The picture illustrates the fruiting bodies of the Armillaria root rot fungus, which is often a good sign of the disease. Armillaria root rot, also referred to as oak root rot, is caused by the pathogen Desarmillaria caespitosa in the Southeast.
Common Symptoms
- Decline of the scaffold branches
- Overall tree collapse
- White mycelial fan at the base of the tree (visible when bark is scraped off)
- Fruiting bodies, as pictured above, may develop after a summer rainfall
Disease Persistence & Spread
The fungus can persist on root fragments from oaks or peaches for many years, exposing newly replanted orchards to the pathogen.
Management Options
- Resistant rootstocks, such as MP-29
- Avoid replanting in infected sites
