Ganoderma resinaceum - growth rate and ecology

[Kveldssanger]

On the topic of species distribution, having spoken with a colleague who used to work up north, and having heard that it's somewhat uncommon (nationally, I would expect), I wonder whether its population is largely confined to the south east. I see it a fair bit, considering - albeit not so much when I was down in the New Forest, where I only spotted it twice, and both times of more open-grown trees not within dense stands of woodland.

 

Interestingly, I admit I have only ever seen it once in a woodland setting, on an oak standard amongst a load of young hornbeam coppice. This begs the question: is its suitable host range that of open-grown broadleaved trees, in place of being one that prefers cover and damper conditions? In this sense, one could argue that the south east is very suited to the fungus, given the dry nature of the region on the whole. It would also then infer that the fungus is quite stress-tolerant, climatically-speaking - withstanding insolation, wind, and so on. Additionally, if the above is true, can it sustain a viable population in a woodland setting, where conditions are different and - most probably - potential hosts have a smaller root plate, little buttressing, and thus reduced viable substrate for the mycelium.

 

Again, just a hypothesis.

[Kveldssanger]

Here's a 'case study' from this year of the growth of one series of sporophores on a mature Quercus robur. Having spoken with some individuals who saw me take some photos of a nearby Fistulna hepatica, and who also like fungi, this Gano has fruited annually for the last few years; at the very least.

 

The below series, split over two posts, spans from the dates 15/06/16 to 22/08/16, thereby showing how this network of mycelium has created a tier of sporophores over no less than 68 days. I admit, from some rather slow beginnings it really did begin to rocket away after a while, and reached its sexual stage (produced a hymenium) around the middle of July (no later than 14/07/16). In this sense, it took no more than 29 days to go from a tiny little cluster of mycelium specs to producing its own spores through its basidia.

 

Some dates are clustered together as I was on holiday for a week and busy at other times (visited during work). The first week or August I did visit but got no photo from this angle - doh!

 

If there is demand, I will upload the entire album (each set of shots is a good ten or so photos).

[Kveldssanger]

...and the second half.

[tree79]

Have you carried out any further investigation to try and determine the extent of decay or sound wood?

 

Picus or resitograph maybe?

[Kveldssanger]

Have you carried out any further investigation to try and determine the extent of decay or sound wood?

 

Picus or resitograph maybe?

 

None yet, but for the oak I saw earlier (not the one above) I am arranging for some PICUS testing. Ultimately, because of the selective white rot induced by the mycelium, sound wave testing is probably the best way to ascertain the state of play, and particularly as a micro-drill will penetrate through any reaction and barrier zones and possibly facilitate further decay throughout the structure.

[Kveldssanger]

Here it is popping up on Fagus sylvatica, over in Hampstead by Golders Green station. I'm sure David know the one, as he spotted it last year. Interesting to note its on a buttress root, well away from the base of the beech - perhaps, this is causing the very pronounced root flaring, which Schwarze (in Diagnosis and Prognosis...) says Ganoderma effectively does in beech; usually G. australe, though G. resinaceum as well, clearly.

[David Humphries]

Can't believe you trespassed to get those images (which are very good by the way) unless you were pretending to go in to the dentists?

 

AgentArb used to live in the flats there and advised them to have it inspected.

 

Not sure if they ever did.

 

 

Lots of targets.

 

 

 

 

.

[Kveldssanger]

Actually I got permission from one of the dental nurses to take photos.

 

I did mention you guys did inspect it, and perhaps my mention of the fungus to her will prompt them to have another look at your verbal report...! Crown looking thin, too.

[Kveldssanger]

Oh - some Grifola coming out in Hampstead Heath by the Quercus patraea in the area that is largely fenced off for new tree planting purposes. Saw a few examples of it today. Take a look if you get the chance, before they get pinched!

[Kveldssanger]

Some updates (long overdue):

 

Ganoderma resinaceum on Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia'. This is, according to the FRDBI (assuming I have searched correctly), the first find of Ganoderma resinaceum on Crataegus sp. that anyone could be bothered to notify Kew of. Not sure yet whether they'll want a sample but I have offered.

 

In before it turns out to be G. lucidum.