Fungi help - what is this?

[CTREE13]

We have a large beech tree in close proximity to our house and garage which we are concerned about for legal, health and safety reasons. It is covered in ivy to start with and the branches are very green but it has fungi growing all around the stump and roots in huge clumps as shown in pictures, also fungi on branch of tree I see today. It appeared a month ago visible and has just got worse though it has been visible over past couple of years. Anybody know what this is and what harm it does to beech tree? We are concerned about the roots being affected as the tree is too near to our house. It is currently a protected tree so we cannot touch it but does not look healthy. Any advice much appreciated.

[coleman]

Looks to me like meripulus. Which is the death nell for that beech.

[MATTMOSS]

We have a large beech tree in close proximity to our house and garage which we are concerned about for legal, health and safety reasons. It is covered in ivy to start with and the branches are very green but it has fungi growing all around the stump and roots in huge clumps as shown in pictures, also fungi on branch of tree I see today. It appeared a month ago visible and has just got worse though it has been visible over past couple of years. Anybody know what this is and what harm it does to beech tree? We are concerned about the roots being affected as the tree is too near to our house. It is currently a protected tree so we cannot touch it but does not look healthy. Any advice much appreciated.

 

You are right to be concerned. Im sure it wont be TPO'd for long when you show these pictures to your local tree officer.

[geoff]

Looks like Meripilus giganteus to me, others will be along to confirm as I am not the best at this.

If so it does not bode well for the tree.

[coleman]

To answer your question properly, meripulus is a root decay fungus that particularly likes eating beech. Quickly!!

[felixthelogchopper]

Another one for Meripilus here. Not looking good for that one, I'm afraid.

[geoff]

Here is a link to the fungi directory, ( in the toolbar at the top).

 

Meripilus giganteus - Giant polypore - David Humphries’s Fungi Directory - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

[CTREE13]

We have submitted application for the tree to be felled as worried about it for various reasons but the fungus this year has just gone mad! Application form takes 4-6 weeks to get back from TPO. It is also the whole way around the back of the tree and some is growing down the side hedge also on our ground. We are not tree experts but my husband has been researching internet and thought was this so I am glad you have confirmed. How long could it be for the tree before falls? Who is in charge of removing if this is the case as the tree is protected and is in boundary hedge.

[geoff]

The owner of the tree has responsibility for removal & costs incurred, no one can accurately say how long it will stand, but strong autumn winds could see it in trouble.

I would get a professional in to evaluate & price for potential removal, they will most likely talk to the tree officer on the council if they find it an immediate threat, something not possible to do from pictures alone.

[felixthelogchopper]

Difficult if not impossible to guess when it will fail. As for responsibility, do your deeds say who is responsible for that boundary?