Eutypella parasitica, the causative agent of Eutypella canker of maple, a destructive disease of maples in Europe and North America, most frequently infects the trunk through a branch stub or bark wound. Because the fungal community may have an impact on infection and colonization by E. parasitica, we examined the species composition of fungi colonizing the wood of the dead branches of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). Isolations were made from different isolation sources in a dead branch. The most frequently isolated species were Eutypa maura, Eutypa sp., Fusarium avenaceum, Neocucurbitaria acerina, and E. parasitica. We did not detect differences in species diversity, but fungal communities differed between sampling sites, between isolation sources, and between branch thickness classes. We tested the most frequently isolated fungi from the wood of dead branches of sycamore maple in dual cultures with E. parasitica and determined their effect on wood decay in our most common maple species using a mini-block test. Based on the calculation of an index of antagonism and re‐isolation success from the interaction zone, we consider E. parasitica to be a weak competitor. Eutypa sp., Eu. maura, Neonectria sp., and Peniophora incarnata have been shown to be the most effective inhibitors of E. parasitica. Relatively slow wood decay due to the action of E. parasitica was detected by the mini-block test. Compared to isolates of known decay fungi, it resulted in significantly lower weight loss. Based on microscopy and staining of the samples, we conclude that E. parasitica could be considered to cause white rot. We have examined certain areas of E. parasitica biology and raised several new questions.
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