David Humphries

Observations of sequential and overlapping colonisations by different fungal fruiting bodies and decay in a standing dead wood volume over 10 years. case study: Fagus sylvatica - European beech This roadside beech tree presented with declining leaf vitality during inspection in 2008. The giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus) was suspected as having colonised the dysfunctional root area. The tree shut down completely and was reduced in 2010 being left as dead standing wood volume for habitat. 2010 The first two fungal species noted pre reduction were Meripilus giganteus around the base of the tree decaying the roots and Chondrosterum purpureum colonising the stem and lower scaffold branches. March 2012 Coprinellis (Coprinus) domesticus with Ozonium at the base of the tree November 2015 Arbortiporus biennis (unusually found here at height) Gymnopilus junonius October 2016 Ganoderma australe 2016-2018 continued fruiting of Meripilus giganteus, Gymnopilus junonius and Ganoderma australe I intend to add further observations of fruiting as and when noted.

Great shots Drew, they must be as bendy as big bendy thing?

some effort gone in to this one

a few places left for this workshop

Look like Dead mans fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) Probably not the reason that the tree has died

Great captures Sean

My understanding from a stakeholders perspective (not involved directly withe the final draft) is that the presumption is that practitioners and consultants will have 'demonstrable' experience regarding tree condition/structure and a working knowledge of the relevant 'local' standards, which will/should be addressed at the application stage......i think. Unit number: 2 Unit title: The growth, development and aging of trees: the role of physiological function and dysfunction Unit summary: Practitioners have an understanding of how trees grow, age and decay and why this is relevant to veteran tree management. One of the main criterion in drafting these, was to not make the standards too onerous where supplementary guidance already exists.

The final versions of the VETcert standards for practitioners and consultants are now available. They can be downloaded from the website. https://vetcert.eu/standards-certificates

BBC reporting that the near 200 year old Oregon Maple at Trinity College in Dublin fell apart during the early hours in high winds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44342570 Anyone have any further information on the trees history and condition? Pictures by Collie Ennis

Not sure if it is the Beech weevil or something else (but suspect it is) Depends on on the level of infestation and the effect it has on the leaves ability to photosynthesise and to transpire and also the level of local predation. Have seen it in on the Beech of Epping Forest at heavy infestation, but not entirely sure of its long term effect on those trees. We don't seem to have beech weevil larvae on our beech trees at Hampstead Heath in north Lndon at anywhere near the same level, but have different leaf miner infestations like Holm oak and holly. Guess it's a regional thing.

Possibly the larvae of Orchestes fagi

Laeti eats red oak as an hor d'oeuvre looks like a big sail Not a good combination in my experience Al

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) on me roses

Fine looking rack of gano's there John

Bigger book, more species, more pictures, still in development, might be a while Camera never missed a beat ?

Stop reading the fungi Id books as gospel ? Would have thought that the two years you spent with me being forced to look at each and every blob that looked vaguely like fungi would have instilled the knowledge that fungi don't read books, as such they live their lives vivaciously without a care as to what the authors & mycologists say they should be doing ? The AA fungi guide is potentially being updated to a larger format.

Not its usual M.O, but we've noted P. fraxinea at height on the trunks of Robinia and Beech, so not always confined to the basal region. Wouldn't rule out Rigidoporous but would need to see a cleaner slice to determine colour/depth of the tubes.

Exit holes of the agrilus beetle thought to be associated with AOD https://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/infd-7b3d3r

Not necessarily Phytophthora, but wouldn't rule it out. Also consider; AOD (Acute Oak Decline) any small 'D' shaped exit holes on the stem Armillaria sp (Honey fungus) any rhizomorphs in the soil around the base of the tree, under the bark?

Tricky dismantle of a good sized DED Elm over a busy north London Bus route and parked cars. Team Leader Ali Nicoll up top. New apprentice Tom on his first decent sized rigging/clear up job, learning the ropes.

pretty striking those Cinnabar moths

Nice

Spotted whilst having a closer look at this Laetiporus. Growing from the edge of a elongated oak cavity on wound wood. Possibly the grubs of a gall wasp Haven't tracked down a name for this one yet....

This sycamore died from sooty bark disease (Crytostroma corticale) in 2008. We monolithed it and went to town on the coronets & fractures with aesthetic in mind. Here it is 10 years on It's dropped a few of the retained limbs from soft rot (possibly should have gotten around to shortening them) but it still stands as a fine bug hotel and fruits a variety of different fungi species at different times of the year.

Love the transition from colonisation (possibly from non occluded semi flush cut), to full cavitation by some bird or other then ongoing cyclical fruiting.