Tilia & Armillaria

[Fungus]

Documentation of a Tilia, which has been white rotted and partially hollowed by the mycelium and rhizomorphs of Armillaria mellea.

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[armybloke]

'She' looks like she's hanging on there Gerrit. What does the crown show us? It would be nice to see it while in leaf. Is there body language to be seen other than the hollow you have shown us?

[Fungus]

'She' looks like she's hanging on there. What does the crown show us? It would be nice to see it while in leaf. Is there body language to be seen other than the hollow you have shown us?

 

It is a "corner" tree, hanging to the right at an angle of about 15 degrees over a pond, mainly depending on the compensatory root to the front left, which is undermined from behind.

The crown shows no effects of the infection and is in full foliage with normal fruiting. Apart from the cavity there's no other body language.

It seems like the necrotrophic parasitic Honey Fungus has completely entered its saprotrophic phase without fruiting (yet).

Next time I'll pass it, I'll make an overview photo.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Fungus

[armybloke]

That's interesting to know. Do you think that the Lime is putting up a good fight or is the fungus just enjoying its meal more slowly?

[Fungus]

Do you think that the Lime is putting up a good fight or is the fungus just enjoying its meal more slowly?

 

Both, but in the end, the Armillaria will win and the tree will fall/split, and after that the lime will be regenerating from its remaining stump with epicormic growth taking over and competing for the "territory" their "mother" left behind while "consuming" her remnants.

[armybloke]

Both, but in the end, the Armillaria will win and the tree will fall/split, and after that the lime will be regenerating from its remaining stump with epicormic growth taking over and competing for the "territory" their "mother" left behind while "consuming" her remnants.

 

Will the Armillaria then find its new host nearby. I can not see clearly from your photograph but it appears that there are plenty in proximity and should the roots of this tree (destined for a new life) be grafted to others will it make use of this easy pathway?

[Fungus]

Will the Armillaria then find its new host nearby. I can not see clearly from your photograph but it appears that there are plenty in proximity and should the roots of this tree (destined for a new life) be grafted to others will it make use of this easy pathway?

 

Could be, though I've not seen any signs of infection on any of the other limes in the lane this far and the next tree is about 10 metres away, so it would take the rhizomorphs 10 years to reach the trunk base of the only other tree "available", as this lime is a corner tree at a t-fork of compacted cycle paths.

[Fungus]

It is a "corner" tree, hanging to the right at an angle of about 15 degrees over a pond. Next time I'll pass it, I'll make an overview photo.

 

As promised, the lime (second right) in total overview.

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