Triple decay

[Paul Barton]

We've got a dual decay thread - how about a thread for three types of fungi on the same tree?!

 

Today I found this Oak with what I suspect to have: Ganoderma resinaceum, Meripilus giganteus and Inonotus dryadeus. I've not seen Meripilus on Oak before, but Lonsdale's book suggests it is no unheard of.

 

Happy to hear others suggestions, particularly on the very black, soft fruits on at the base which is what I suspect to be I dryadeus but am not absolutely sure.

[David Humphries]

I've not seen Meripilus on Oak before, but Lonsdale's book suggests it is no unheard of..

 

 

 

Meripilus has a relatively wide host range Paul.

 

Oak is not un-common in my experience, particularly in association with much older trees.

 

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[David Humphries]

Happy to hear others suggestions, particularly on the very black, soft fruits on at the base which is what I suspect to be I dryadeus but am not absolutely sure.

 

Did you get a look at the remains of the pore surface on the desicated brackets?

 

 

I would suspect they are older (last years) dryadeus, like you do.

 

 

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[sloth]

I've seen merip on 3 old oaks this year, two of them had died in the last 2-3 years after heavy reductions.

No Griffola about though...

Edited October 24, 2013 by sloth

[David Humphries]

One from a few years ago.

 

tripple Ganoderma colonisation in the basal area of this beech

 

Tree still standing, unreduced

 

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[APC]

One from a few years ago.

 

tripple Ganoderma colonisation in the basal area of this beech

 

Tree still standing, unreduced

 

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Nice find!

[RobArb]

Yes seen merip on oak a few times now, grifola for the first time this year.

 

Got pics of an Oak with merip, fistulina and chicken somewhere, I'll try find it

[sloth]

Interesting one here, big old oak by a fairly busy country road (40mph limit but up to 60 not unusual).

I did wonder if this was originally two trees, but think it is actually one twin stemmed. Triple decay and as can be seen in the last pic - Meripilus on the left, Perenniporia/Rigidiporus in the middle below the union and Ganoderma Resinaceum on the right.

1st - The merip is fruiting from exposed heartwood, which still sounds solid. The line in the bark above it I think is probably where two original buttress roots met, long since decayed and where the merip is now fruiting.

2nd - I am leaning towards Perenniporia, but could be swayed! Plenty of reiterating roots in this area.

3rd - The resinaceum was guttating, not noted that before. There was also about 1m of dead loose bark above it, with solid sapwood beneath.

 

The bark is showing signs of some serious tension at the twin stem union, on the side of the tree you can't see. It looks like the stem with merip (the side furthest from the road) is the subsiding side. There are no cavities or fruiting bodies on the other side of the tree.

 

Initial thoughts on management are that further decay detection/investigation would be too expensive on a large tree stock with limited funds for inspection and works. It is a prominent tree in Constable country and losing it would be a great shame. It has a very healthy, spreading crown. It is nearly 20m tall and almost as wide.

I'm thinking approx 4m reduction all over canopy. A little much maybe? But I'm thinking something must be done to seriously lessen failure, monitor the trees response and consider further reduction in future.

Edited October 27, 2013 by sloth

[David Humphries]

Beech with Meripilus giganteus that we dismantled in 2010

 

now hosting an array of decayers including Gymnopilus junonius, Daldinia concentrica and Daedaleopsis confragosa

 

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[Adam Bourne]

Very cool David,

 

Any signs of any wildlife activity being close to the road?

 

Feeder for woodys? Bats? ect!!!