What fungus? And is the tree dead?

[rory291]

Does my tree need to come down?

[David Humphries]

Meripilus giganteus, the giant polypore

 

How big’s the tree and what’s the canopy look like?

 

what are the targets?

[daltontrees]

That's almost certainly Meripilus giganteus, on Beech unless I'm istaken.

 

Whether the tree needs to come down is a matter of when. It's not going to get better, but if it's still got a full crown you may be able to keep it for a few years. It depends on its stature too, if it's squat and not going to hit anything if it falls over, you could try and keep it but if it's tall and exposed to winds and near buildings or roads a precautionary approach might be best, get rid of or reduce it.

[daltontrees]

Darn, David, you beat me to it by a minute or two.

[rory291]

Most leaves are brown as you can see. The tree is also heavy on one side

[David Humphries]

 

15 minutes ago, rory291 said:

Most leaves are brown as you can see. The tree is also heavy on one side

That be an ex- tree, time to plan its removal.

[daltontrees]

What a miserablely small amount of land to leave for such a big tree to struggle on in.

[rory291]

Thanks all for the input. I think we will get it removed sharpish incase it drops! It's a shame as I imagine it was a lovely tree. We've just moved into the house so I may put a sign up letting our neighbours know we aren't murderers!

[Steve Bullman]

Taken down many a beech tree with meripilous over the years.  One things for certain, the tree is certainly going to be removed at some point.  Getting it felled and replanted with something you and your family can enjoy is the best option 

[Nimby]

On ‎01‎/‎09‎/‎2018 at 21:43, rory291 said:

Thanks all for the input. I think we will get it removed sharpish incase it drops! It's a shame as I imagine it was a lovely tree. We've just moved into the house so I may put a sign up letting our neighbours know we aren't murderers!

If I were you, I would check with your LA to see if there's a TPO or if you are in a Conservation Area.