Id please

[Dowie]

Hi,

 

Wondered if someone could give a positive id on these brackets on a mature lime, I have looked around the internet and closest I have seen is Ganoderma australe.

 

May be completely wrong, but has the brown dusty characteristics and all the brackets appear low down on the tree all the way round the base in the butresses. Thanks for you time.

[David Humphries]

I would agree that they are one of the Ganoderma species.

 

Possibly australe, but you would need to use microscopy to determine an Id based on the spore differences between G. applanatum & G. australe.

 

 

 

.

[Fungus]

one of the Ganoderma species. Possibly australe, but you would need to use microscopy to determine an Id based on the spore differences between G. applanatum & G. australe.

 

In this case, it is of no importance, whether it is G. australe or G. lipsiense, because in Tilia, both perennial Ganoderma species cause a comparable extensive white rot with selective delignification, that already in an early stage can make the tree vulnerable for windthrow because of complete decomposition of the central wood of the buttresses and the trunk base at and below ground level.

[Dowie]

In this case, it is of no importance, whether it is G. australe or G. lipsiense, because in Tilia, both perennial Ganoderma species cause a comparable extensive white rot with selective delignification, that already in an early stage can make the tree vulnerable for windthrow because of complete decomposition of the central wood of the buttresses and the trunk base at and below ground level.

 

Thanks for both your responses,

 

In the forth image there is a cavity at ground level in one of the buttresses (not clear in the image) that seems to extend for about 36in under the tree, (I stuck a tape measure in until it hit something hard) highly scientific I know!! Some of the buttresses sounded hollow when tapped compared with others, again not very scientific.

 

How would you go about establishing the extent of the white rot and the decomposition you mention?

 

many thanks for your input, but you are dealing with a novice !!

[Fungus]

In the forth image there is a cavity at ground level in one of the buttresses (not clear in the image) that seems to extend for about 36in under the tree, (I stuck a tape measure in until it hit something hard) highly scientific I know!! Some of the buttresses sounded hollow when tapped compared with others, again not very scientific. How would you go about establishing the extent of the white rot and the decomposition you mention?

 

Who's the owner of the tree, is it a veteran with a TPO and who's going to pay for the assessment of the extent of the white rot ? IMO your findings sound serious enough to take extensive measures to keep the tree from falling (windthrow).

Under "natural" conditions, the Ganoderma is "preparing" for the total collaps of the Tilia, after which the tree can regenerate from the remaining and surviving roots (see photo) and/or with epicormic growth at the base.

---

[Paul Smith]

That's a cool picture!

[Dowie]

Who's the owner of the tree, is it a veteran with a TPO and who's going to pay for the assessment of the extent of the white rot ? IMO your findings sound serious enough to take extensive measures to keep the tree from falling (windthrow).

Under "natural" conditions, the Ganoderma is "preparing" for the total collaps of the Tilia, after which the tree can regenerate from the remaining and surviving roots (see photo) and/or with epicormic growth at the base.

---

 

Hi I have been away for a couple of days hence the late reply, there is no tpo on the tree and knowing the owners as I do I am sure they would want to fully investigate the health of the tree, and to what extent the tree may be compromised and what action can be taken to prevent a calapse. What is the best way to get an inspection of this tree, how would I go about finding someone in my area who is qualified to assess the tree? Thanks for your help

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Check the AA consultants list for a local one, either way a drastic reduction is on the cards, a pollard is the only viable long term retention solution to a lime with ganodermas.