Abstract: The genus Cytospora Ehrenb. are known to cause canker diseases in a variety of woody plants with economic and ecological losses in wide distributions. These pathogens exhibit a latent infection characteristic, typically initiating infection from the bark and gradually invading the xylem, resulting in the formation of ulcers and annular lesions, which can severely lead to the death of trunks or branches. Cytospora species display diverse life strategies and geographical distributions depending on different hosts and environmental conditions. We provide a comprehensive review of the damages and symptoms caused by Cytospora in forest trees, the survive strategies and species taxonomy, host selection and the identification of major pathogens causing canker diseases in China. The objective is to offer scientific insights for the prevention and control of forest canker diseases, thereby promoting the healthy and sustainable development of forest ecosystems.