Localised distribution of Fomes fomentarius

Chanced upon (what is for me) a new host/fungi association today.

Quercus rubra - red oak

Quick trawl through the FRDBI records doesn't appear to show this as being noted before.

Any one else?

This tree was reduced by fracturing, which may have provided the entry interface for the Fomes spores

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Todays find is (to my knowledge) the 7th occasion that I've noted the varying associations of this fungi at the site where I work.

Below is a map showing the distribution (& order of which I noted them) from across the site.

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.........& order of which I noted them, from across the site..

First up, (number 1 on map) was an already mature association of a number of brackets on a Quercus cerris - turkey oak, from 2006

This tree has subsequently been reduced

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Next up, (number 2 on the map) - to my knowledge, the first recorded association of Betula pendula & Fomes in this part of London. (usually noted to be a northern Uk host association).

"Fomes fomentarius, on/with Betula, standing trunk, parkland, 30/03/2010, England, Middlesex, London, Hampstead Heath, TQ27348671, coll.: D. Humphries, id: D. Humphries, conf.: A.M. Ainsworth, herb.: K(M)166469, FRDBI Record No.: 1641806, Origin of Record: RBG Kew 'herbtrack' + herb. K (full record data)."

Have subsequently found this association a number of times in woodlands in and around London

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Number 3 in the time line of distribution discovery, was a sole small bracket on a dying Fagus sylvatica - beech, again in 2010

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Number 4 in order, was a single bracket, again on Fagus sylvatica, in the same woodland area as number 3

Noted in 2011

This bracket has been nabbed

Number 5 (in the pop pickers chart) was a single bracket high up in the canopy of a pond side Populus x canadensis - hybrid black poplar

Noted in 2011

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Number 6 was on Quercus robur which is close to the birch (No2)

Noted this in 2011

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Last on the map list (No7) is the red oak from earlier today.

The distribution of these brackets runs in a band from east to west (No1 to No4) just over a kilometer

& from north (No6) to half way between 1 & 4 by approximately 400m .

I find this a really interesting & variable host range within such a relatively close proximity.

1. Quercus cerris

2. Betula pendula

3. Fagus sylvatica

4. Fagus sylvatica

5. Poplus x canadensis

6. Quercus robur

7. Quercus rubra

I'll add any new ones here, as and when I come across them.

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Thanks for posting these finds David, as usual, great documentation.