fistulina hepatica (beefsteak)

[HRG Tree Services]

I need to do a tree report on a Oak for my college course! It has fistulina hepatica on it! It's an extra mature Quercus Robur it over hangs to buildings and has crown dieback! Any ideas on suggested work for the tree?

[RobArb]

What college course are you doing? Has there been any lessons on pests and diseases? Do you own any fungi books and have you looked for Fistulina hepatica in them and what it does?

 

What does your gut feeling tell you from the information you have found?

[RobRainford]

Fistulina is a slow brown heart rot of the native British oaks and also affects sweet chestnut in a similar way. It is a co-evolutionary fungus that lives in symbiosis with these trees into their mature lives and aids the tree in reaching veteran status.

 

The decay is slow and thus the oak can adapt to it over its lifespan, achieving a stout hollow oak as its ultimate form for old age.

 

Have you identified any other causes for crown die back? Root damage? Other pathogens in the tree restricting vascular flow?

 

Possible works? Not without pics. Even then we can only guide and you need to use your judgement.

[agg221]

I would recommend felling it and giving the butt to me to dispose of - the infected timber is a beautiful chocolate brown and still useable. I want a load to do my living room floor with!

 

Alec

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I would recommend felling it and giving the butt to me to dispose of - the infected timber is a beautiful chocolate brown and still useable. I want a load to do my living room floor with!

 

Alec

 

[Jesse]

I need to do a tree report on a Oak for my college course! It has fistulina hepatica on it! It's an extra mature Quercus Robur it over hangs to buildings and has crown dieback! Any ideas on suggested work for the tree?

 

RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC , Make your own decision based on your own research taking into account the given target area, but remember at the end of the day its your head on the block. some unfortunate person has to make that decision its all about knowing when its TIME. When it is time make sure you put forward a detailed specification of how the task should be carried out so as to aid the client when comparing quotations . Like for Like. hope that helps