Dying (or dead) Apple Tree. Honey Fungus?

[Apple_Tree]

Hello everyone.  We’d appreciate some guidance on one of the apple trees in our garden.  We’re pretty much resigned to losing it but would prefer it be condemned by people who know about these things.  What to do with the wood is also another grey area for us.

 

Briefly, this apple tree was in the garden when we moved in back in 1994 and has produced cooking apple’s every year since.  It’s always been a bit “wild” with branches growing in all directions.  We can’t remember when (20 years ago maybe?) but our neighbour chopped one side of the tree off at the fence line resulting in a rather lop-sided tree but it still produced fruit.

 

Last year, we noticed fungus growing out of the ground next to the trunk.  The attached fungus pictures were taken last year.  We didn’t think much of it at the time.  This year the tree started to blossom and produced leaves but these were stunted and everything fell off during Spring.  The fungus then regrew a few weeks ago and the bark has started to fall off the trunk.  The tree pictures were taken today.

 

We’re assuming this is Honey Fungus and the tree is dead, or as good as dead.  Our slight doubts are caused by the fact we can’t see any rhizomorphs behind the bark above ground although we did see small amounts of what we presume is mycelium just above and below the ground.

 

There is a second apple tree about 3 metres from this one that seems to be OK at the moment.  Should we be digging a trench pronto and putting in a barrier?

 

Assuming we have to take this tree down, could the wood still be used for other purposes?  Most places say you should burn or landfill Honey Fungus trees.  Could the wood be kept for people with wood burning stoves or possibly even woodturners?  The trunk is quite large and we have a relative who used to do woodturning (now given it up) who had said they would have had that wood if we’d ever chopped it down.  Does Honey Fungus limit what we can do with it?

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Apple_Tree]

22 hours ago, EdwardC said:

Definitely honey fungus. Typical fruiting bodies, and the clincher, white mycelium under the bark in the third picture down.

 

Looking at it I'd say it's pretty much completely dead, If not, it soon will be.

 

I'd mulch the neighbouring tree rather than dig a trench, which would be hard work and ineffective. Keep the soil and it's fauna happy, and the tree will be happy. Honey fungus is everywhere and it will take advantage of weak trees. Keep the Tree and soil healthy, not so much of a problem.

 

You could use the wood for turning or firewood without any problem. 

 

 

Thanks for the confirmation - it's much appreciated.

 

We're getting some quotes from local tree surgeons now.  Hopefully we'll be able to make use out of the wood.  Eventually we'd probably plant some sort of replacement although it may not be Apple as some plonker put a greenhouse right next to it ...