The total synthesis of hongoquercin B was carried out in 9 steps from trans,trans-farnesyl acetate using a palladium catalyzed decarboxylative pi-farnesyl rearrangement of a diketo-dioxinone ester, aromatization and cationic diene-epoxide cyclization as key steps. This cascade tetracyclization simplifies the synthesis of terpenoid resorcylate natural products.