Fungal growth around Beech tree

[finchyo]

Hi all, looked at a dead/dying beech tree the other day. Leaves have been brown since july and cracking bark all over. Noticed the fungus on it growing around the base and wondered if it was the cause of the death, or it is just living off the dead bark or soil. Roots were cut three years ago in autumn to put new drive in!

[Gary Prentice]

I'd think this is just acting saprophytically on the dead bark.

[Ian C]

I'd think this is just acting saprophytically on the dead bark.

 

I agree with Gary, serves them right for mullering the roots, what the hell did they expect?

[finchyo]

Yeah teats what i was thinking about the fungus but I wonder what really did in the tree? They said they only cut a few small roots but you never know what the builders did. They went from having a gravel drive around it to a new block paving. I was thinking compaction damage, not getting the air to the root ball any more. Such a shame as it looked like it was a beautiful copper beech in its day.