Fungus of the day

[Essex arborist]

Looks like the end of the road for this fantastic copper beech tree - any suggestions or has it got to go?

[sean]

In my humble opinion it does not necessarily mean the end of the tree. Many a beech tree can be managed successfully. Depending on extent of decay/dieback/targets etc.

[Fungus]

Looks like the end of the road for this fantastic copper beech tree - any suggestions or has it got to go?

 

As Sean already said, not necessarily. Inform yourself on the topic by reading the (latest) posts on the Meripilus thread.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Fungus

[Essex arborist]

It's within 2m falling distance of busy main road but if it suffers windthrow it'll damage some nice specimen trees around it plus young family play in the garden the tree currently stands in. Apparently second season with fruiting bodies. I have suggested root investigation to determine condition but it's inevitable that the tree will eventually come down isn't it? I'm not aware of any treatment for meripilus giganteus are you?

[Fungus]

1. Apparently second season with fruiting bodies. I have suggested root investigation to determine condition but it's inevitable that the tree will eventually come down isn't it?

2. I'm not aware of any treatment for meripilus giganteus are you?

 

1. Not just investigate the tree on soft rot on the lower sides of the major roots and white rot inside the roots and buttresses, also look at the white and soft rot at and below ground level in the base of the trunk and in between the buttresses before you advise on retrenchment or pollarding of the crown or felling of the tree.

And look for superficial adventitious rootlets surrounding the tree base in combination with die back of the central crown indicating the tree has entered its final reproductive phase. See my MTA case study.

2. No, there is not.

[Bundle 2]

Of course, it is still the case that common procedure in a case such as this ( ie-on a busy main road ), removal is commonplace; and precisely because it is an unknown quantity.