Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

"...f that is the case, I'm not sure if it's good, bad or not relevant in terms of how the tree deals with the fungal decay..."

Its a good question Giles and very relevant to tree care....if I have understood you correctly. It also affords me the opportunity to wag my finger in an all knowing gesture towards David!!
Kinda just kiddin' with you Dave as Im sure you are well aware of the science behind it. Essentially. trees are able to store energy in the"symplast", usually the parenchyma cells throughout the wood. This is in conjunction with the starch and sugars which it manufactures during photosynthesis...nothing new there.
By removing the crown canopy to any degree,you naturally require the tree to fall back on mobilising the energy stored within.
Shigo talks about not balance...but an equilibrium. A rhythmic yo-yo-ing of life systems. Without the dynamic element inferred, life systems are run down.
Reducing crown area depletes energy. The tree uses its stored energy and so is less able to mobilise the defense processes that protect the thing from fungal attack( etc) in its weakened state this leads to an inability to compartmentalise against decay progression....."simples....! "
This is why the phenology (timing) of the trees processes is relevant to aborists. It also explains why some of us get a bit, what...."ansi"! when our colleagues go drilling into codit wall 4 when a tree has been infected, reduced and so on.....out of curiosity. Im not really having a go Dave, as i say, I m sure you are well aware of this basic science!!
It does tho' go some way to explaining why and where the various methods of decay detection are available and suitable.
When you hear consultant types going on about "holistic" type tree care you gotta wonder whether they just get paid too much and read plenty of Dennis Wheatley.
I am of the opinion that an important aspect of health diagnosis is the concept of SIR.....( Havnt expressed that too well ) SIR is Systemic Induced Resistance. Try googling it Giles and see what you turn up.If you want to protect a tree from exploitation by decay and pests etc, you want to "switch on " the trees natural defense systems....
I bet that wasnt what you were wondering atall was it!!?

I doubt very much whether the reduction has masked the symptons of "expected decline" It has probably diverted energy to leaf production and stalled compartmentalisation, increasing decay and further compromising the t/r ratio...That said, I guess you then need to restore the t/r ratio by reduction and so on and so on.Technically then the tree is most "fecked" isnt it dave?

Thanks Bundle for mentioning 'SIR', it sounds like the kind of thing I was wondering about, I'll take a look.

Meripilus giganteus & Ganoderma apllanatums on dead Oak Monolith.

Older & young Piptoporus betulina & small Fuligo septica on Birch.


Ganoderma applanatums & Piptoporus betulinas on dead Birch monolith


All espied this arvo on a wee little trek through me manor.
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Was down in Dorset at the weekend, near Blandford Forum.
What a thoroughly nice neck of the woods

Came upon this episode of dual decay.

Quercus robur leaning toward a Playground, hosting both Inonotus dryadeus and Fistulina hepatica.

Suffice to say, I will be getting in touch with the local parish council to find out if they are aware.


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no photo's david? Surely not?

Your glasses must be steamed up or something Sean




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weird......i saw no photo's. They no there when I lookie last. Would that warrant further investigation as to the extent of the decay or would it be an instant fell do you think? Or is that a ridiculous question given the target?

Depends what local funds are like I guess.

I would investigate further T'were it my asset, for sure, and possibly retrench depending on findings.

But that's just lil ole tree huggin me.


Positive that that would be the minorities view, especially here on trigger happy At


Fistulina wouldn't be of greatest concern due to slow brown rot, though my first hand experience with dryadeus is limited, so that would definately steer me to thumb the tomes of Tree wisdom at depth.



Could always move the targets I suppose



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Could always move the targets I suppose



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Gets my vote.....

Laetiporus sulphureus & Ganoderma applanatum on declining Salix alba.

Localised Brown & White rot acting in dis-harmony

This one just got promoted up the to do list.

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