Is this fungus a real problem?

[arb culture]

LOL:lol:

You make a good point about saprophytic fairy rings etc, but in this instance and in this pattern, i am wise enough to know Im having a very very safe bet, and i cant wait to decyfer what these are!

 

I'm glad I made a valid point, I wouldn't want to embarrass myself.

 

I think we are all agreed that whatever the fungus is, it's very unlikely to be harmful. I'm just interested in what it is out of curiosity now. I really hope it gets ID'd.

[Forest Imp]

As mentioned earlier, a shot showing the underside is STILL needed. The colour of the gills is most important, also the way they are attached to the stem - a good quality close up is needed for this.

 

For me, this is a type of Cortinarius, a very difficult genera, that even Kew would struggle with.

If I am right, then you would need to collect several young specimens as well as mature specimens to better show the early colours before they fade and before any 'cobweb' (known as the 'cortina') disappears.

 

Hope this is of help.

By the way, I'm not sure how fungi, complimenting the beauty of a tree, can be considered 'unsightly'. You can confidently tell the owner, if the fungi ARE mycorrhizal with the fir, then the fir is most certainly benefiting from it.