Meripilus

[KenJan]

I have a mature beech tree that is infected with what I think is Meripilus. (I will try and post some pics). The fruiting bodies were around half the circumference of the tree and in the grass.

 

Some questions....

Should I take the tree down? It is about 1m around and approx 35foot high. Looking at the canopy it does look like it has been struggling.

If it comes down can I store to wood to burn once dry? I have other beech trees in the area, will this wood be infective if I do store it?

Are my other trees likely to become infected?

Many thanks, all help appreciated...

[nepia]

I don't have sufficient expertise to provide reliable answers for you but you should learn much reading through this thread; the author of it is highly regarded and you can take what he says as gospel.

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/fungi-pictures/49997-meripilus-giganteus-giant-polypore-its-host-range.html?highlight=meripilus

[StephF]

It looks like it to me. Fell it..

[Hodge]

It looks like it to me. Fell it..

 

If this wind carries on like this it may not need felling, might be on the ground of its own accord.

[David Humphries]

I don't have sufficient expertise to provide reliable answers for you but you should learn much reading through this thread; the author of it is highly regarded and you can take what he says as gospel.

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/fungi-pictures/49997-meripilus-giganteus-giant-polypore-its-host-range.html?highlight=meripilus

 

I don't know about that Jon, think the 'author' of that particular thread intended it as a pictoral reference not a scientific tome

 

 

Hello Ken, your beech (from the evidence you have offered up) looks to be in a state of terminal decline.

 

Beech trees can and do survive for many years with the association of Meripilus in the roots but more often than not a declining canopy and numerous fruit bodies is indicative of a tree that's on the way the out and may be in the state of serious dysfunction and open to the very real risk of the tree being wind thrown as the white rot destroys the stability of the roots.

 

As for moving between host trees, roots in close proximity can graft and if a neighbouring tree is stressed by biotic or abiotic conditions then it too can become 'infected' by the mycelium of Meripilus as it's already present.

 

Having said that, I don't believe that this would be enough to condemn neighbouring trees on the off chance that they may be infected just because of close proximity.

 

 

For a little more info on the major fungi associated with trees, we have a fungi directory here at Arbtalk in the links above.

 

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

 

 

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