fungi identification

[anniebee]

Hi could anyone identify this fungi for me it is growing half way up a 150 yr old beech. I know some fungi can be detrimental to a tree and a third of the canopy covers my roof so just a bit worried about any big branches falling off. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Steve Bullman]

Hi Annie,

 

The fungus is Polyporus squamosus - Dryads saddle - David Humphries’s Fungi Directory - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

 

I expect the fungi squad will be along shortly to tell you all about it

 

The cavity looks like it might go quite deep. Do you have any pictures of the whole tree?

[anniebee]

Wow what a quick reply thank you I will look that up and see if it is likely to make branches drop. Here is a picture of the whole tree

[RobRainford]

Hi Annie, where is the fungus location on the tree in the bigger picture? is it on the left hand side towards the house? From the shape of the stem around the top of the window level it looks like a branch used to be there.

 

P. squasmosus as pointed out, is a deadwood feeder (saprophytic), however it does cause cavities and can lead to part failure in long term.

 

FOr the colour of the canopy, i would suggest it looks a bit thinner than it should be, although the time of year, and the time of the photo being taken, could be the major factor in this.

Edited October 23, 2011 by RobRainford

[anniebee]

Hi, Yes that is where the fungus is, there is another hole further up on the side you can see but doesn't show up in the picture, that is where the two squirrels live!

[RobRainford]

there is a good chance there will be a cavity inside the stem which links the two holes, depending on the size of the cavity there should be some management required on this tree, although around where the fungus is emerging there is a 'donut' of growth sealing the pruning cut, the cut is obviously too large to be sealed in good time and that is how the infection has entered the tree.

 

Can you get some more pictures of the area around the tree? to show it in a bit more context, a picture that shows the squirrel nest would be handy too.

 

Where are you located?

[anniebee]

okay will take a little while, I am in Kent

[Fungus]

P. squamosus as pointed out, is a deadwood feeder (saprophytic), however it does cause cavities and can lead to part failure in long term ... canapy .. looks a bit thinner ...

 

Annie & Rob,

Polyporus squamosus is an annual (necrotrophic) parasitic bracket fungus, that decomposes dead wood to produce fruitbodies once or twice a year and lives on as a dead wood feeder (saprotrophic) once the tree has died.

In beech, it is a slow decayer, that can create intensive white rot and cavities on the long run.

So the question to answer first is : over how long a period and how often has the mycelium been fruiting and how many years has the canapy been looking thinner ?

[Bundle 2]

Sure that canopy is not showing an appropriate, seasonal loss of leaf area ? When was the photo of the tree, canopy and house taken Annie?

[anniebee]

Not too sure if it has ever grown there before, never taken that much notice I can't remember when the photo was taken maybe a couple of months ago. This other photo (just taken) shows the fungi to the bottom left and two squirrel holes further up to the right. I really don't think they all connect together. Also could you let me know if the white bits at the bottom anything to worry about

Edited October 23, 2011 by anniebee

[Bundle 2]

The "white " bits are lichen I think nothing to worry about ! Or do you mean the fencing fitments ? That's not nice and is a potential court for fungal ingress ! ( Never like to see trees used like this but tis an arborists' lot that we see it alot ! )

Kinda fundammental to the picture that we try and build a picture of canopy loss - it indicates a level of vigor and this is significant !!

 

edit - see now, that view of leaf area looks healthy enough to me guys !?