Large beech tree - meripilus

[Jon Boaden]

I have a large beech tree in my garden (pictured) that has a lot of fungus at its base (pictured).  I am told that the fungus is meripilus and that the tree may have to come down as a result.  I would be very sad to see it come down, but clearly it will have to if there is a significant risk (it is near a road).  Can anyone suggest an expert I can consult to assess the risk, carry out tests, and recommend appropriate action.  

[Jon Boaden]

I should add that I am in Newcastle upon Tyne

[Steve Bullman]

I assume thats the road to the left and the tree's quite weighted in that direction by the looks of it? With that amount of fungus present its quite possible that the root plate is already shot unfortunately. I don't see much point in spending money on a consultant from what I can see in the photo

[Jon Boaden]

Thanks Steve     

[openspaceman]

2 hours ago, Jon Boaden said:

Thanks Steve     

 When it comes down post us a picture of the cut stump please

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Looks like the tree has had some hard knocks over the years. 
 

 

[Jon Boaden]

Yes - the scar hole 20-25 feet high on the right of the trunk was big enough for barn owls to live in for some years, and peer out at the house.  The tree will be a huge loss when it goes. 

[Transplanted]

If you want a price for removal, message me, I will be in Newcastle several times next week.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

On 08/10/2020 at 17:49, Jon Boaden said:

Yes - the scar hole 20-25 feet high on the right of the trunk was big enough for barn owls to live in for some years, and peer out at the house.  The tree will be a huge loss when it goes. 

If there’s a cavity big enough for owls it may be well over due a credible assessment of ‘risk’ (and consequence). 
 

There maybe the option of retaining standing stem which could provide future habitat / diversity value and potentially prolong retention options where it sounds like you’d ‘miss’ the tree.  If it is Merip affecting the roots though, some care in taking advice should be exercised. 
 

Some people are expert at removing trees, others may be expert at providing credible retention options - the 2 groups don’t always meet in the middle!

[openspaceman]

45 minutes ago, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

If there’s a cavity big enough for owls it may be well over due a credible assessment of ‘risk’ (and consequence). 

Yes a good case for considering reducing to monolith if the owls are likely to use it again