Ophiostomatales is an order of fungi primarily known for their role in decomposing wood and affecting tree health. These fungi are often associated with bark beetles and can cause diseases in trees, such as Dutch elm disease and blue stain in conifers. Members of this order are typically found in decaying wood and are important for nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. They reproduce through spores and can have both beneficial and harmful effects on their environments, depending on their interactions with host trees and other organisms.