David Humphries

Fistulina hepatica and the saprotrophic ringless honey fungus (Armillaria tabescens) here on this dead standing oak. We appeared to wake up one of its inhabitants after tapping on the trunk with the sounding hammer. (last image) good job we didn't use the micro drill until the furry thing scurried off as we may have accidentally skewered it Highlights the importance of checking loose bark before working on dead trees

Great pictures Kenty

Looks a bit like Rigidoporus ulmarius. to be sure we'd need to see a slice of the fruitbody showing the flesh and the tube layer. .

Nicely put together post Tom, like your writing style.

The beech sounds like the Meripilus colonisation is advanced and the tree is in terminal decline with compromised roots. i'd like to see context images of the tree in its situ and canopy shots, as Meripilus doesn't always = removal (I've managed Beech trees with Meripilus for more than a decade) But from your description, removal (or reduction to mitigate the target) would appear to be sound management of a tree in that condition. .

Not sure, try looking at Lacrymaria lacrymabunda

Have you got a shot of the stipe and gills? i've seen Collybia look like this but would need to see other features to be sure. .

This article looks at some of the ‘usual (& unusual) suspects’ in tree-specific mycology. This is based on UK experience but many will be familiar to US and ANZ readers and the generics will certainly be similar. Fungi can be found in trees pretty much throughout the year. Perennial brackets (like Fomes fomentarius right ) put on incremental spore layers each growing cycle and can persist for years. Whereas annual fruiting bodies (like Inonotus hispidus right) are relatively short lived and ‘fruit’ once a year producing one or many bodies which desiccate after sporulation. The developing Inonotus shot (right) shows last year’s fruit body scar as dark patches. #jscode# A recent study (in the American Journal of Botany) suggested that there are an estimated 5 million species of fungi on the planet, with somewhere in the region of 1200 new species recorded each year. This makes knowing the majority of the tree associated ones a tall order! There are many identification books & online resources available, but these generally deal with the fungal kingdom as a whole and not specifically the ones associated with trees. However, in the last couple of years there have been a small number of Tree specific fungi resources that have become available such as the UK’s Arboricultural Association’s Fungi on Trees – an Arborists Field Guide & also The Arbtalk Tree Fungi Id App for smart phones. Both of these are specifically designed with the Arborist in mind for use out in the field(and up in the trees. There are a number of ways to help in tracking down an identification, including; the tree host does the fruit body have a stem or not are there pores or gills the colour of the spore the type of flesh & tube layer documenting it and sharing with colleagues and online Arb & Ecology communities sending in samples to mycology labs, all of which can help identify which fun- gal specimen you are dealing with. Depending on its particular development stage, some of the more useful features to look at when trying to identify fungi, are their method of dispersing spore. In essence this is how fungi produces and distributes its spores. FUNGAL FEATURES The three main types of structures from which spore are dispersed are; Gills Teeth/Spines Pores A good example of gilled fungi would be Pleurotus ostreatus – The oyster and Flammulina velutipes – the velvet shank (shown above) with fully developed ‘bracket’ and also as developing ‘polyps’. An example of fungi with teeth/spines would be Hericium erinaceus – The bearded tooth and a good example of fungi with pores, would be Polyporus squamosus – the dryads saddle The colour & size of the spore (fungal seed) varies considerably, this is a characteristic that helps (microscopically) to confirm a species. The obvious ‘black’ spore of Daldinia concentrica – King Alfreds cakes are shown below The white spore of Perenniporia fraxinea & below right the cocoa powder coloured spore (on the leaves of ivy) of Ganoderma resinaceum. The colour of the flesh & tube layer of certain fruit bodies, is again a good indicator of one species over another. Below is a sliced wedge taken from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma resinaceum (annual fruiting body), Ganoderma applanatum (perennial fruiting body) and Fistulina hepatica (annual fruiting body). The speed with which large fruit bodies can develop can be remarkable. Here, Laetiporus sulphureus (chicken of the woods) is tracked in time lapse from early on through to desiccation after it has sporulated. The above pictures were taken on an oak over a 37 day period within an old woodpecker hole. FUNGAL STRATEGY Knowing the type of strategist a particular fungal species might be, is important in helping build toward an informed judgement on managing the structural parts of a tree either within a long term management plan for the tree or operationally during rigged dismantles Decay There are a number of types of decay associated with the different species of fungi. White rot – degrades the lignin and generally equates to soft spongy collapse (Pic Below Left in Horse Chestnut). Examples include - Ganoderma spp, Armillaria spp, Heterobasidion annosum Simultaneous white rot - degrades cellulose & lignin. Examples include – Fomes fomentarius, Inonotus hispidus Selective delignification - degrades areas of lignin. Examples include – Ganoderma resinaceum , Ganoderma pfeiferri , Inonotus dryadeus Soft rot – degrading cellulose, later may degrade lignin. Examples include – Kretzschmaria duesta Brown rot – degrades cellulose to produce a brittle-type failure (Pic Below Centre in Oak). Examples include – Laetiporus sulphureus, Fistulina hepatica, Phaeolus schweinitzii, Rigidoporus ulmarius, Piptoporus spp Each fungal species will have its own strategy for entering a tree, the different types of strategy can be described as; SAPWOOD EXPOSED This is where entry is via spore on exposed wood (eg, lightning strikes (A), collision (B) & old pruning wounds (C)). Examples include – Fistulina hepatica & Polyporus squamosus SAPWOOD INTACT Fungal species that are latent (lay dormant) inside the host awaiting structural or biological weakness. (eg branch breakage via storm or root plate rock) include Piptoporus betulinus (birch polypore) and Heterobasidion annosum (root rot) HEART ROT Consumes the static mass that is no longer needed by the tree for growing Introduced to the tree via exposed heart- wood/sapwood (Rigidoporus ulmarius , Inonotus dryadeus (pic Below Right)) FUNGAL INDUCED DYSFUNCTION Attacks the trees vascular system, shut-ting down & killing its host from roots up. (Armillaria mellea) Normally acting as a secondary coloniser of weakened trees. TREE FAILURE A look at points of failure associated with specific decay fungi: Ganoderma sp can be found from the base of a tree to crown break. Below Left is a veteran lapsed Beech pollard from Burnham Beeches in the UK with old pollard poles that have succumbed and torn out due to the white rot of Ganoderma applanatum. Next (Below Centre Left) is the basal trunk failure on oak from Ganoderma resinaceum which is predominantly selective delignification (where lignin is preferentially degraded) leading to a more brittle decay than white rot. ROOT DECAY Merripilus giganteus, (Below Center Right) creates a white sponge-like rot of the underside of lateral guy roots, can (but not always) lead to complete root plate failure. Some trees have been known to co-exist with this species for many years. The next image (Below Far Right) shows an air-spaded root plate with Meripilius that is only affecting one side of the tree & its associated canopy. The other side is still served by non-affected roots and still functions (although having been subject to a reduction). TRUNK DECAY & ASSOCIATED FAILURE Fomes fomentarius, photos (Below Left and Below Centre Left) here on beech in northern Spain & a mid trunk failure. Simultaneus white rot, degrading both the lignin & cellulose, can lead to trunk collapse. Trunk and branch failure from the brown rot of Laetiporus sulphureus here on beech (Below Centre Right) and oak (Below Right). Both conifers and broadleaf trees host this species, where it breaks down the cellulose at an early stage. Trunk failure from Fistulina hepatica here on oak (pic Below Left & Below Centre Left) , similar to Laetiporus in that it is a brown rot decayer Trunk & branch failure – Inonotus hispidus (pic Bottom Centre Right) creating a simultaneous white rot as seen here within this ash branch (pic Bottom Right). Pic Right: Stem failure via white rot of Polyporus squamosus DUEL DECAY Sometimes there may be more than one fungi at play within a host, this adds complication to predicting how failure may occur. Below Left: Fomes fomentarius & Ganoderma resinaceum Below: Piptoporus betulinus & Fomes fomentarius Below Right: Laetiporus sulphureus & Ganoderma applanatum This can mean there may also be different types of decay localised within a tree. In this picture (Right) is the white rot of Fomes & the brown rot of Piptoporus within birch. TIE IN POINTS & DECAY Where there is suspected dysfunction of a branch/union associated with fungal decay, it is good practice to assess the branch & its union as thoroughly as possible from the ground before choosing it as primary anchor point for ascent Access to a monocular or a good pair of binoculars is useful.(pic Below Left) I hear/read (too often) of climbers from all over the world having had their TIP fail on them whilst on initial ascent, (due to unforeseen biomechanical or decay issues) leading to severe injuries or sadly even fatalities. A good example of where a particular fungal induced dysfunction is worth taking the extra time to assess for potential weakness is Massaria Disease of Plane (Splanchnonema platani). Pic Below Centre Left. This (‘non’ fruitbody forming) fungi, creates lesions on the upper-sides of branches. The unions of these branches are often weakly attached and prone to snap. The decay is noted as being a soft rot which can lead to a brittle type fracture failure under load. There can also be a secondary decay in association by the white rotting Auricularia sp. Often the visual symptoms of Massaria do not readily show from the ground so caution is advised. For further information on MDP, the London Tree Officers Association are putting together a guidance document, which will be available on their web site this autumn. Oudemansiella mucida (the porcelain fungi, Pic Below Centre Right) is another example of where a branch may be structurally compromised and not seen from the ground without thorough inspection. It is a saprophytic fungi creating a simultaneous white rot on dead/dysfunctional parts of beech trees. Unlike Massaria, this one does fruit, which helps with assessment & identification (although usually only seen fruiting between late summer to late autumn) RARE & STATUS THREATENED SPECIES As well as legislation to protect the myriad of different birds, bats & invertebrate species whilst working on and around mature & veteran trees, it’s also important to have a good working knowledge of the habitat aspect of various fungal species that are afforded protection in the UK. A significant number of UK BAP priority fungi species have been identified as being the most threatened under the JNCC’s (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Red data book species such as Podoscypha mulizonata, Piptoporus quercinus(Below Right) & Hericium errinaceus each have biodiversity action plans assigned to highlight their vulnerability, with priority given to their conservation status. Trees that host these rare species should be assessed Link to the most recent UK BAP priority fungi species (including lichens) http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5165 ASSESSING DECAY & DYSFUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH DECAY SPECIFIC FUNGI Using VTA (visual tree assessment), to see if a tree (or tree part) is adapting to decay/dysfunction, & looking specifically at reaction in the body language of trees. Using decay detection equipment such as micro drills, tomographs & thermal imaging cameras. The above tools are predominantly used on the ground but can be taken aloft into the canopy to assess upper trunks & main scaffold branches. LOOKING & LISTENING FOR DECAY & DYSFUNCTION An additional tool in our collective assessment arsenal is using the relatively simple technique of ‘sounding’ to assess the quality of woody volumes with a hammer. The pictures Below Left and Below Centre Left show a fibre scope looking into a horse chestnut cavity at a Saprophytic coprinus sp The pictures Below Right and Below Centre Right show a Meripilus affected beech having its roots cleared of soil and then sounded with a thor soft faced hammer. BIOSECURITY Finally, a general nod to having an awareness of the spreading of fungal spores (and other pests & disease for that matter) through our work as Arborists within the canopy of trees. Although there are an estimated 10,000 million spores released from a single fruit body, this shouldn’t make us blasé about the part we perhaps play in spreading fungi via the very tools & PPE we use day in and day out, often across new un-connected sites. It’s relatively easy to spot the multi coloured fungi dust as shown earlier in this piece (and bacterial spore) during sporulation. So don’t forget to be mind- ful of the use of appropriate disinfection of fabrics, ropes & and soles of boots. It does us no harm to remind ourselves once in a while, that it’s not only small critters that have the potential to be vectors! View full article

Great images Steve, thanks for sharing. looks like the kids were enjoying their leg stretch. .

My first Tigers eye aswell, pretty striking fungi. Loads of them in pine woodland at Santon Downham at Thetford.

Dark honey fungus (Armillaria ostoyea) has gills not pores. Might be worth considering Sarcodon imbricatus, if only to rule it out. if you do find out what it is, an update would be appreciated. .

Pretty sure this is not dyers mazegill, and I can see why dryads saddle has been offered due to the squamules (cap scales) personally not seen the saddle fruiting on coniferous tree species, are there any broadleaf or shrubs species around that it may be growing on? .

Few bits and bobs from around Thetford forest and Bury st Edmunds. Coltricia perennis (Tigers eye) Russula sp Lactarius blennius (Beech milk cap, with scleroderma) Phallus impudicus (stink horn, above and below) Amanita strobiliformis (warted amanita)

With the pores it looks like some kind of Bolete species to me, but a little too far desiccated for me to guess. what's your hunch?

Reported from Kew Gardens in London in large numbers today on woodchip mulch, certainly becoming increasingly noted over the last few years. good post Ty .

Think it's just filling the void and developing a new bracket.

Great shots Ian, good to see you posting them up .

Ashridge?

Hello Ben Fine set of shots, first one is a great contextual image. one from work or a random? .

Of course I do................is that kinda of strange of summit?

Midge galls on Beech leavesi

Burnham beeches earlier today Ramaria sp (possibly R. flava) Mycena sanguinolenta, the bleeding bonnet Lactarius blennius, Beech milk ca Hygrocybe sp (possibly H. conica) Amanita citrina var. alba Armillaria bulbosa Amanita phalloides

Judging by the incremental re-aligned geotropic growth of this G. australe, it looks like this beech went over about 4 years ago.

Livestock winter fodder (like these recently cut ash), charcoal, firewood and wood material for building & making things.