Worldwide distribution. The fungi that cause these diseases (commonly, Ganoderma and Trametes) have a very wide host range, including many forest, fruit and plantation trees, including palms. Important diseases.
The fungi cause white rots in roots and trunks, causing slow dieback and death. The brackets that develop remain for many years, producing millions of spores.
Spread is either root-to-root or spores infect through wounds. Spores travel long distances on the wind.
Cultural control: make regular checks for brackets and, if found, dig out infected trees, with the main roots, and burn; seek the source of infection, e.g., old stump of forest tree; plant ground legumes to hasten decay of stumps; do not damage healthy trees: stop people cutting the bark with bush knives!