Tis the season to see Fungi, fa la la la la....

[slack ma girdle]

This isn't fung, probably Stemonitis slime mold

Edited May 10 by slack ma girdle

[slack ma girdle]

On 10/05/2024 at 06:58, slack ma girdle said:

Is this fung?

 

Turns out that this is a Truffle Gall.

[David Humphries]

8 hours ago, slack ma girdle said:

Turns out that this is a Truffle Gall.

Saw some on an oak at Westonbirt on Friday, don’t see them too often. 

[peds]

Lakeside boletus 

 

[David Humphries]

What tree species were they associating with? 

[peds]

Oh that's a big question, lots going on. Oak, sycamore, hazel (visible in photo), beech are the most significant nearby, but also sitka and cedar. It's on a regular dogwalk, I'll get more specifics the next time I pass by.

What struck me was that he was growing almost with his feet in the water, right by the lake.

 

In the meantime though... how about this little superstar! 

 

[5thelement]

Visited this very large Horsechestnut today as the customer wanted advice on managing/retaining the tree. 
Most Horsechestnut in my area, (including the two large ones in my own garden) are either showing early Autumn colours and dropping leaves, or are hammered with leaf miner, this one is almost untouched. 
The crown is in excellent shape apart from one main stem, there is historic metal cable bracing present. 

The rootplate tells a totally different story, numerous fruiting bodies of Ganoderma resinaceum, both old and new, some serious rot/decay in at least two of the buttress flares (possibly the cause/instigated by flail damage) and extending out along surface roots, and the start of a column developing. 

 

This tree is large and well within striking distance of the house.
The customer would like to retain if possible, although the tree would have to be reduced by half to remove completely from the target. 
There are growth point to reduce to and I have seen sizeable reduced and pollard Horsechestnut here in SW France.

 

I’ve never come across Ganoderma resinaceum on this host, If it where Oak, I would recommend a reduction and monitor, not sure how a diffuse porous timber like Horsechestnut will hold up to the Ganoderma in the long term though and felling may be the better solution. 
 

Thoughts ?

 

#davidhumphries

 

Edited August 31 by 5thelement

[5thelement]

A good example of Inonotus hispidus, complete with the blackened remains of last years fruiting body, the host is Walnut, SW France.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

On 31/08/2024 at 18:08, 5thelement said:

Visited this very large Horsechestnut today as the customer wanted advice on managing/retaining the tree. 
Most Horsechestnut in my area, (including the two large ones in my own garden) are either showing early Autumn colours and dropping leaves, or are hammered with leaf miner, this one is almost untouched. 
The crown is in excellent shape apart from one main stem, there is historic metal cable bracing present. 

The rootplate tells a totally different story, numerous fruiting bodies of Ganoderma resinaceum, both old and new, some serious rot/decay in at least two of the buttress flares (possibly the cause/instigated by flail damage) and extending out along surface roots, and the start of a column developing. 

 

This tree is large and well within striking distance of the house.
The customer would like to retain if possible, although the tree would have to be reduced by half to remove completely from the target. 
There are growth point to reduce to and I have seen sizeable reduced and pollard Horsechestnut here in SW France.

 

I’ve never come across Ganoderma resinaceum on this host, If it where Oak, I would recommend a reduction and monitor, not sure how a diffuse porous timber like Horsechestnut will hold up to the Ganoderma in the long term though and felling may be the better solution. 
 

Thoughts ?

 

#davidhumphries

 

 

For me that’s out or nothing.

Reduce it by a half and it’ll look terrible, and rot even quicker. 

[kram]

Seen this today between two street trees. Its a fair size and looks quite old. Firm when prodded with foot. What is it?