Fungal succession in standing dead wood volumes

[David Humphries]

Observations of sequential and overlapping colonisations by different fungal fruiting bodies and decay in a standing dead wood volume over 10 years.

 

case study: Fagus sylvatica - European beech

 

This roadside beech tree presented with declining leaf vitality during inspection in 2008.

The giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus) was suspected as having colonised the dysfunctional root area.

The tree shut down completely and was reduced in 2010 being left as dead standing wood volume for habitat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

The first two fungal species noted pre reduction were Meripilus giganteus around the base of the tree decaying the roots and Chondrosterum purpureum colonising the stem and lower scaffold branches.

 

 

 

March 2012

Coprinellis (Coprinus) domesticus with Ozonium at the base of the tree

 

 

 

November 2015

Arbortiporus biennis (unusually found here at height) 

Gymnopilus junonius

 

 

 

October 2016

Ganoderma australe

 

 

2016-2018

continued fruiting of Meripilus giganteus, Gymnopilus junonius and Ganoderma australe

 

 

I intend to add further observations of fruiting as and when noted.

[Mark J]

That's an excellent documentation.  Thanks.

 

[David Humphries]

What led to me looking back on this particular stump is that on passing recently one of the retained branch stubs has failed and exposed the level of decay and habitat inside the wood volume.

 

Full of beetle galleries and as light as paper.