Pitch degradation with white rot fungus

A process for reducing the pitch content of pulpwood or of a pulp comprising applying to the pulpwood or pulp an inoculum of a species of the fungus Phlebia tremellosa which is capable of reducing pitch, the inoculation being in an amount sufficient upon fungal growth from the inoculation to reduce the pitch content of the pulpwood or pulp, and maintaining the inoculated pulpwood or pulp under conditions which allow fungal growth from the inoculation for a time sufficient to effect a reduction of the pitch content of the pulpwood or pulp by such inoculated fungal growth.