Ficus benghalensis L (banyan tree) has been planted as ornamental tree in parks,
landscapes as well as along roads and streets in many southern cities of Iran. During field
surveys conducted in Kish Island (Hormozgān province) an unusual decline was noticed on
F. benghalensis. Affected trees exhibited bark necrosis, peeled off bark and cankers on
branches and aerial roots, yellowing and defoliation, branch dieback and eventually death.
A black sooty mass of fungal spores under the bark as well as wood discoloration in cross …