shed limb on beech

[htb]

I have been looking at a large mature beech 80ft overhanging buildings which shed a major limb in the last snow. Trunk 5 ft diam rising to 18 ft then dividing into 5 major limbs, one of these has shed in last snow leaving another major damaged limb which will have to be removed and tears to the trunk. I have pics but they are too big to upload 1.7 mb. Where the limb detached there is decay to the top of the branch and fungal mycelium (white) through the wood apppox 1/4 of limb thickness. Where the two limbs attach along the bark inclusion You can see fungal growth approx 1/4-1/2 thick mocha in colour on surface and darker underneath. I know this is not a lot to go on but anyone with any ideas what fungi is and prognosis for tree is. I and client would rather not remove tree but will do if we have to.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

A tree can be kept in a condition that to most would be frightening, if it is reduced to a pollard, this can be staged.

 

i doubt it is mycelium if mocha in colour as you say. mycelium is various colours from white in general, to neon Pink and fluro yellow, but rarely i would think Mocha. You mentioned white mycelia, and doubtfull, the mocha coloured stuff is anything other than detritus build up within the fork or rotted areas.

 

your phot will download just fine, as the site auto reduces them, give it a go but be patcient as reduction proscess takes a little while, maybe 10 seconds in your file size.

 

a phot would help enourmosly

[Ian Flatters]

Reduction should be good get the lever arm as far down as you dare. Also maybe install a cobra bracing system if moneys no too tight on the job.

 

Maybe its compressed organic matter in the fork?

[htb]

Thanks hama. Mycelium is white the mocha coloured stuff looks like a run of silicone down the bark inclusion. will try and upload photo's

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Thanks hama. Mycelium is white the mocha coloured stuff looks like a run of silicone down the bark inclusion. will try and upload photo's

 

This could be the activity of the olive oysterling, not a common fungus but it loves beech and I see these oozes from trees infected by it, though upper canopy, it is more likely Pholiota aurivella on a beech, a common parasite high in the canopies of fagus.