Are these fungi decayers?

[Arob]

Have ID'd two fungi around the bottom of two trees and wonder if they are attacking the roots,

 

perhaps the most threatening is at the bottom of a lime which is dying back and becoming stag-headed and has been shedding small branches and twigs in winds over the past year or two (suspect original damage may be from development - site is around a decade old, road is a foot to a foot and a half lower than the base of the tree, and comes within a couple of metres of one side of the tree)

Also lots of epicormics (I know it's a lime), but there are a lot of epicormics.

 

Have ID'd fungi as Boletus felleus Bulliard ex Fries (aka Bitter Bolete or Sponge Cap) and am pretty confident in that ID. I first noticed fruiting bodies in spring, more have occurred just recently, and one is right up against the base of the tree.

 

I haven't got a good book on tree decay fungi - I checked Strouts and Winter but it's not in there, so maybe it's not a decayer, or maybe it's because Strouts and Winter are just covering main fungi, I don't know; can anyone advise on this fungus?

 

The second fungi, may be less significant, it's around a young maturing birch and is Russula delica Fries (aka Milk-white Russula) again cannot see in Strouts and Winter.

 

Thanks,

Ali

[Amelanchier]

They'll be mycorrhizal association fungi. Russula spp. and Betula is a classic combination

[Arob]

Ah, thanks Tony! Just bought my first tub of mycorrhiza and used for the first time yesterday when planting a Birch! Didn't even occur that it could've been that

 

Do you know about the Boletus? Unlike the Russula its associated with a tree showing signs of decline and could do some damage if it goes (is within striking distance of bungalow and a row of garages and a well used private road.

 

Also can you reccommend a decent book, I've got 'Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe' which has a good key, but there's no mention of associations with Trees.

 

Thanks again.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Ah, thanks Tony! Just bought my first tub of mycorrhiza and used for the first time yesterday when planting a Birch! .

 

Do you know how Mycorrhiza be applied to an established tree, ie deep application or spread on the surface.

 

Never used the stuff but want to try it on a couple of trees

[Andy Collins]

I would have thought maybe radial/vertical trenching? Lee may be the best person to explain this.

[Amelanchier]

I wasn't aware of any link between Boletus spp and tree decline. They are certainly noted for their mycorrizhal associations with various species and I think that their conspicous absence from tree decay texts hints at their impact.

 

Fungi by Spooner & Roberts (ISBN 0-00-220153-4) is a good book which lists known associations by tree species.

[Lee Winger]

I would have thought maybe radial/vertical trenching? Lee may be the best person to explain this.

 

 

I agree Andy water in the spores before putting your mulch in the trenches, or mycor can be applied using an injection rig...

 

However you do it , idealy you want the spores to make contact with the roots..

[Arob]

Thanks again Tony, boletus isn't detrimental either; you've put my mind at ease .