For the past decade, it has been apparent to both of us that a reference
text covering all aspects of tree defense mechanisms to fungi was
missing, needed and long overdue. Such a book would provide a clear,
comprehensive overview of how living roots, stems and leaves respond to
fungal pathogens. The need for such a book became in- creasingly clear
to us from our conversations with each other, as well as from our
interactions with students and colleagues who desired a sourcebook
containing reviews of morphological, biochemical and physiological
aspects of host-parasite interactions in trees. During a field trip
sponsored by the Forest Pathology Committee of the Ameri- can
Phytopathological Society, on a bus from one site to another, we decided
to take the responsibility to prepare a book of this type and began to
plan its composition. To adequately address the topic of this book as we
had envisioned it, we believed that well-illustrated chapters were
needed in order to reflect the important advances made by the many
investigators who have examined the anatomical and physiological changes
that occur when trees are attacked by fungi. We are grateful to Dr. Tore
Timell, the Wood Science editor for Springer-Verlag, for supporting our
efforts and for providing an avenue to publish such a profusely il-
lustrated volume.