Copper Beech with extensive Ganoderma brackets

[PC Treescapes]

After some second opinions please, was asked to look at this Copper Beech. It has what I believe to be Ganoderma Applanatum brackets around entire base of tree. Canopy slightly thin but not too bad, and some dead wood / die back in canopy, but again not much. Is at the end of a car park in grass area for a block of flats. Targets include a neighbouring block of flats and pedestrian access, a pavement and a busy a road, and the car park for the flats that own it. Would people recommend retrenchment pruning or removal? Don't want to waste residents finances on pruning if it then gets condemned or worse falls over! Any thoughts appreciated, failing that is it worth getting an independent arboriculturist survey done ( we advise but mainly geared up for doing the work, not consultancy) many thanks. Peter

[David Humphries]

Looks to be a vascularly/healthy and functional tree, which may be able to survive a reduction or set of retrenchments.

 

Have you tried sounding the buttresses/trunk with a nylon headed hammer?

 

The brackets do look like G. applanatum rather than G. australe but I would be looking for a confirmation via microscopy (looking at the spore size) to determine which one scientifically.

 

They have different decay strategies.

 

My advise would be to get the species of Ganoderma confirmed and then get a consultant in with access to picus/resistograph.

 

Of course that entirely depends on the clients budget and their appetite to keep the tree in its setting.

 

 

 

.

[PC Treescapes]

Looks to be a vascularly/healthy and functional tree, which may be able to survive a reduction or set of retrenchments.

 

Have you tried sounding the buttresses/trunk with a nylon headed hammer?

 

The brackets do look like G. applanatum rather than G. australe but I would be looking for a confirmation via microscopy (looking at the spore size) to determine which one scientifically.

 

They have different decay strategies.

 

My advise would be to get the species of Ganoderma confirmed and then get a consultant in with access to picus/resistograph.

 

Of course that entirely depends on the clients budget and their appetite to keep the tree in its setting.

 

 

 

.

 

Thank you for the feedback

 

Will speak with client tomorrow, and give them the options

 

Forgot to say the tree is subject to a tpo, so will be have to justify any works what ever we do

 

Peter

[arboriculturist]

Have you inspected the rear of the main stem - the fungal fruiting bodies may well be girdling the base. If so you can be reasonably certain that the complete base plane of the main stem has been colonised.

 

How closely have you inspected those vertical creases, and around those brackets - any sign of Kretzmaria?

 

G + K = Remove and re-plant.

 

If this is the case - A Tree Officer worth their salt will not on this occasion burden the tree owner with the unnecessary expence of a written Report.

 

Have you given it a carefull probe?

 

Have you spent a couple of minutes with a spade carefully excavating round the tree base.

 

Do what you can yourself before advising the Client further; they are sure to appreciate it and you gain a lot of respect

[PC Treescapes]

Have you inspected the rear of the main stem - the fungal fruiting bodies may well be girdling the base. If so you can be reasonably certain that the complete base plane of the main stem has been colonised.

 

How closely have you inspected those vertical creases, and around those brackets - any sign of Kretzmaria?

 

G + K = Remove and re-plant.

 

If this is the case - A Tree Officer worth their salt will not on this occasion burden the tree owner with the unnecessary expence of a written Report.

 

Have you given it a carefull probe?

 

Have you spent a couple of minutes with a spade carefully excavating round the tree base.

 

Do what you can yourself before advising the Client further; they are sure to appreciate it and you gain a lot of respect

 

Hi, thank you for your detailed reply. I will be going to look again this morning

 

Many thanks Peter