Fluting as indication of decay in Populus nigra x Italica

[Paul Cleaver]

This morning I found this on a sycamore.

Obvious advanced in the the trunk base caused by Ganoderma.  The tree has reacted accordingly

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Paul, thanks for this post - just to clarify, as defined buttressing (not a great term, sorry) is characteristic of Sycamore IME, that this is reaction growth resulting in buttress expansion (and enclosure / inclusion) because of the internal decay caused by the fungus?

 

Just trying to better understand the situation as, on the face of it, I'm not sure I'm seeing, or maybe not recognising, what I should be (perhaps its more obvious on site.)

 

TIA

Paul

[Paul Cleaver]

3 hours ago, AA Teccie (Paul) said:

Hi Paul, thanks for this post - just to clarify, as defined buttressing (not a great term, sorry) is characteristic of Sycamore IME, that this is reaction growth resulting in buttress expansion (and enclosure / inclusion) because of the internal decay caused by the fungus?

 

Just trying to better understand the situation as, on the face of it, I'm not sure I'm seeing, or maybe not recognising, what I should be (perhaps its more obvious on site.)

 

TIA

Paul

Hi Paul 

Yes, it's reactive growth in response  to the the decay internally.

I noted on the report that there is some slight signs consistant with fibre buckling on the lower trunk . There are no signs of  any recent reactive growth, with no  lighter bark indication.

Alot of the leaves are smaller than usual,  so I would say the the vitality of the tree is low, so it's not able to produce any current reactive growth.

I have attached a photo from Mathecks VTA book to show the development of buttressing in association with decay