Whats this Fungus?

[Mike Hill]

I was recently asked to inspect a Beech Tree.I found this from nearly ground level up to about two meters in hight.It is located on a section of dead wood that extends vertically about four meters up the Trunk.

 

The Tree sounds hollow when struck and worringly there is a verticle spilt on the side opposite the dead strip.

 

The Tree is an old Pollard,I guess it to be about 150years old.

 

Any help is much appreciated.

[Stephen Blair]

it looks like beechesknackerdis to me mike, very common in Norway. there was a scurge of kiwi tree cutting a few years back if my memory serves me right:001_smile:

[Bundle 2]

Could be a few things from experience Mike...

Some things can be deduced from your post tho' mate. Its likely deuteromycete ie what commonly gets called a mould fungus ( poss berkandera ...?) It is saprotrophic (saprobic...I love it when they find umpteen different words to denote the same thing....! )which means it goes for dead wood. In case you didnt notice...the strip of dead looking sapwood exposed there in your photo is ...well....dead. This is not particularly good news for a beech tree....! The fungus tho' thinks its a party......Hope this helps!

 

".....beechesknackerdis...." I wouldnt be so sure mate...an old pollard would probably respond with as positive result from any r4duction work you may prescribe as you could reasonably expect for a beech.,,,Lonsdale says " it aint over til the fat lady sings"...or words to that effect!!

Edited July 4, 2009 by Bundle 2
do I need a reason?