Fungi ID on Veteran please?

[Arbgirl]

Any ideas what this fungi is? Found on a newly discovered (by me that is) veteran Oak

 

I have an idea (guess) but dont want to look a plonker in front of the masters of mycology so will let you make suggestions first

[David Humphries]

Ganoderma pfeifferi would be my first port of call.

 

Did you scratch the crust at all?

 

This usually will give you the tell tale bees wax

 

 

 

Nice Oak

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[Arbgirl]

Here is the whole tree (with backpack to show scale)

 

Its full of decay pockets, covered in ferns and moss and full of deadwood habitats

 

 

 

Will visit in the autumn to check for more fungal wonders

[Arbgirl]

Hi Monkey

 

Thanks for that

 

I didnt scratch it, but it was hard and dry and sounded hollow when tapped

 

It has a massive burr on it about 5 times the size of my backpack! No sign of other fungi but will revisit at a better time of year:thumbup:

[David Humphries]

Be nice to see it in full leaf if you get the chance.

 

Looks to be retrenching itself.

 

 

 

Would be suprised if there wasn't at least Fistulina present as well.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Arbgirl]

I agree there has to be more fungi on it somewhere - I did scratch around underneath especially below the burr but no sign of anything at present.

 

It looks as if it will be vigorous when in leaf and does look to be retrenching, I agree

 

I love trees when they get like this - such a brilliant wildlife habitat

 

If it wasn't so far off the road through a very dark forest I would go back at dusk with my bat detector and have a listen as there are numerous decay pockets and crevices

 

 

I came upon a question while wandering today - how many people have ever seen a tree fall over while they have actually been there? I came upon a major beech limb failure (limb was about 30% of the tree (weak union - possibly not helped by the snow earlier this year, and also due to new wind forces being exerted on it due to removal of conifers surrounding it) today on the footpath - it must have happened in the last couple of days and it made me wonder - with all the surveying and recommendations to fell/prune/reduce etc we do to make trees safe - how many people have ever actually seen a tree fall through natural failure?

Edited March 7, 2011 by Arbgirl

[David Humphries]

 

I came upon a question while wandering today - how many people have ever seen a tree fall over while they have actually been there? I came upon a major beech limb failure (limb was about 30% of the tree (weak union - possibly not helped by the snow earlier this year, and also due to new wind forces being exerted on it due to removal of conifers surrounding it) today on the footpath - it must have happened in the last couple of days and it made me wonder - with all the surveying and recommendations to fell/prune/reduce etc we do to make trees safe - how many people have ever actually seen a tree fall through natural failure?

 

 

 

'Natural' as in storm event, then yes.

 

But only a handfull

 

 

I'd imagine it would be a rare event to witness.

 

Worthy of a seperate thread. hint, hint

 

 

 

 

 

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[Arbgirl]

Hint taken:thumbup1: