<jats:p>Xylaramide (1), possessing potent antifungal activity towards Nematospora coryli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was isolated from the culture fluids of the wood-inhabiting ascomycete Xylaria longipes together with tyrosol (2), 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (3) and 2-hexylidene- 3-methylsuccinic acid (4). The latter has been known as a Xylaria metabolite for many years. Compounds 2 and 3 have been previously reported from other fungi, whereas 1 is a new natural N -(2-phenylethenyl)-2-hydroxypropanamide. The isolation, structure determination and biological properties of xylaramide are described. The biological activities of the other compounds are included.