Beech, Armillaria?

[tree_beard]

Large Beech next to the driveway of a small estate i look after. Driveway within a couple of feet that has been re-surfaced several times over the lifetime of the tree.

 

Recently noticed a section of decay on the driveway side of the trunk (after a small bit of falling deadwood knocked the necrotic bark off). The decayed area is approx 2' wide and 6' tall, the area above the dead bark and mushy cambium has areas exuding a black/brown substance.

 

So, Armillaria? Crown reduction? Removal?

 

Muchos gracias amigos

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

100%

[tree_beard]

Thank you for the confirmation, management ideas for said tree? fairly low foot/vehicle traffic around the tree, but barn, three phase lines and outbuildings on the opposite side of the tree to the decayed area...

[slasherscot]

personally a beech i would remove

[Matthew Arnold]

personally a beech i would remove

 

Wouldnt be long until Kretz will get in there and cause even more problems.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

why is everyones first line of thought a fell?

 

we must work from top down not first cut at the base!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

this beech may still live a hundred years with some managment, its always worth reduction first and see what the response is.

[tree_beard]

so two votes fell (really gents... monolith at the most), one reduce...

 

 

some more pics, just because

[sloth]

so two votes fell (really gents... monolith at the most), one reduce...

 

 

some more pics, just because

 

Two votes for reduce

[andy2]

three for reduce (Y)