Fungus on Sycamore

[Readingdave]

I’ve noticed this fungus growing at the base of a sycamore. Just wondered if anyone can id it, and is it anything to be concerned about? Thanks

[Vedhoggar]

Ganoderma spp. which causes decay in stem and roots usually. Risk of harm depends on location and extent of decay.

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[daltontrees]

Yep, but prognosis depends on species. G. applanatum is slow moving and possibly only consuming dead wood. G. australe is worse as it may be killing and consuming. BUt i don't knwo for sure, depends wihich text you consult and possibly depends on host species.

[Readingdave]

Thanks both. Will get this checked out.

[Vedhoggar]

15 minutes ago, Readingdave said:

Thanks both. Will get this checked out.

The best way of determining extent of decay in the stem would be with Picus decay detection equipment but depends on where the tree is situated and how important it is to know the extent of decay in order to make a decision. 

[Dan Maynard]

Also look at the rest of the tree, I've found some similar on a Lombardy pop last week. All the branches down one side are dead, it sounds hollow round those brackets and you can push a key two inches in to the wood around a third of the base. By this stage by my reckoning it doesn't matter too much which species the fungus is.

Chap called me because neighbours worried about how tall the tree is, upshot it's coming down next Saturday.

[Vedhoggar]

19 hours ago, Readingdave said:

I’ve noticed this fungus growing at the base of a sycamore. Just wondered if anyone can id it, and is it anything to be concerned about? Thanks

Looking again at the image there appears to be quite a large cavity at the base of the tree in which case it may be possible to access the cavity and estimate to some degree how hollow the tree is but the opening itself will also have to be taken into consideration.

[Vedhoggar]

13 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

Also look at the rest of the tree, I've found some similar on a Lombardy pop last week. All the branches down one side are dead, it sounds hollow round those brackets and you can push a key two inches in to the wood around a third of the base. By this stage by my reckoning it doesn't matter too much which species the fungus is.

Chap called me because neighbours worried about how tall the tree is, upshot it's coming down next Saturday.

it would be interesting to see an image showing how hollow that tree is afterwards. You say "By this stage by my reckoning it doesn't matter too much which species the fungus is" also some fungi in general cannot be positively be identified by a visual inspection.

[Dan Maynard]

it would be interesting to see an image showing how hollow that tree is afterwards. You say "By this stage by my reckoning it doesn't matter too much which species the fungus is" also some fungi in general cannot be positively be identified by a visual inspection.

Sure, I'll try to remember to photo it. I don't know if it's hollow hollow or just so spongy soft it sounds like that but definitely not strong solid timber round that side.

[Vedhoggar]

3 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

11 minutes ago, Vedhoggar said:

it would be interesting to see an image showing how hollow that tree is afterwards. You say "By this stage by my reckoning it doesn't matter too much which species the fungus is" also some fungi in general cannot be positively be identified by a visual inspection.

Sure, I'll try to remember to photo it. I don't know if it's hollow hollow or just so spongy soft it sounds like that but definitely not strong solid timber round that side.

One would think with that many brackets on poplar there would be a significant amount of decay, will be interesting to see.