jacquemontii

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond to this, much appreciated. Some useful insight and its reassuring to know others also find the BS can be awkward to apply at times. The retention categories can't always tell the whole story, so I also take the approach of including further discussion in the report to explain the pro and cons of retaining the more contentious trees. We can make management recommendations, but ultimately the retention of the tree is the client's decision. I don't like to condemn attractive mature trees, but in the existing context and in the context of development we need to cover our liability.

Please see attached photos of a mature oak. Regarding BS5837 surveying, from one side the tree appears to be of high quality, a tree of visual importance as a landscape feature with an estimated life expectancy of at least 40 years, A2. Then a closer inspection reveals this large wound with small cavities forming near the base of the trunk. Tapping the wound surface with a mallet reveals hollow sounding patches. Ganoderma is identified at the base, so the trunk or roots may be decaying with a white rot. I know that oak as a species is very durable and the tree could hollow and remain standing for many years to come, whilst naturally shedding branches through crown retrenchment. Therefore you could still say the tree has 40+ years and in its current context in a field this tree could remain viable? However, should the land use change for development, then the tree would require further consideration? Given the amount of trampling and compaction in the root zone, couldn’t this tree become a candidate for wind throw due to potential root decay? Would you therefore downgrade the tree due to impaired condition and recommend a further detailed inspection to assess the extent of decay? The majority of trees I find relatively straight forward to grade, but every now and then I find the criteria difficult to apply. What do other people do in these situations? Any advice and opinions welcome.

Ganoderma was my main suspect, thanks to all for your responses.

Hi, does anyone recognise this fruiting body at the base of a large wound on a mature oak. As seen in the photos, the surrounding root zone has been heavily trampled by cattle.

Is this indicative of an underlying 'banana crack' on the compression side of a leaning Oak?

Nice one, that looks like it has some character!

Hah! Yes I see what you mean!

Thought this was interesting...helical growth of an ash. I know its fairly typical in sweet chestnuts. A potential hazard if the wind direction changes?

Phellinus igniarius

Spotted at the base of an oak. Anyone recognise what this might be?

On Salix...

What fungi am I....

Octopus Stinkhorn?...

Thanks to all for taking the time to comment on this. I agree the tree looks good in terms of its current vitality, and I have noted the wound wood. I don’t think the tree is an imminent risk, however I’m trying to determine if the tree is viable for more than 10 years, as per the BS5837. I would like to hear people’s experience of ash as a species. Is a wound of this size likely to occlude and isn’t decay now inevitable given that ash is known to have a non durable heartwood? Does anyone have any experience of the likely rates of decay for an ash of this size (60cm diam)?

Gall wasp?

Hi all, Please see attached photos of an ash (stem diameter 60cm, height 12m). This tree has a large wound exposing the non durable heartwood, which could decay rapidly and cause collapse. I understand that Fraxinus is a poor compartmentaliser of decay. Given the tree is in a residential setting, my feeling is this tree cannot be safely retained for more than 10 years. I am aware that ash can survive a mechanical failure and collapse, by retaining a viable wall of sapwood and producing adventitious shoots, to produce new stems and branches. However, in this situation (residential targets) would anyone recommend any course of action other than fell?

All things considered (including potential targets), I don't think these trees are worthy of long term retention. Given the young age of the trees, I think replacement planting with a different species is the way to go. Thanks for the comments!

Thanks for your reply Jesse. I've read that bleeding canker can cause structural weakness if the canker girdles the stem, however disease progression can be slow. I've also read that trees can recover from this? In this instance its a young tree with an otherwise healthy appearance. The location of the canker on the trunk and branch unions would rule out the effectiveness of any pruning to remove infected bark. I'm trying to assess whether its worth monitoring this to see how it develops, or to act now and remove the tree, with a view to replacement planting.

Hi, does anyone recognise these symptoms on the bark of a young/semi-mature Horse chestnut? Trying to determine if this is a type of canker and whether it will affect the long term health of the tree. The crown appears to be in good structural and physiological condition, although as seen in the photo there are several pruning stubs, also some mower damage to exposed roots on surface of surrounding grass.

Thanks for your reply David!

Hi, does this look like daedaleopsis confragosa? Spotted this fungi on a dead branch of a mature Goat willow. Given that the fruiting bodies are close to the stem union, is this form of decay likely to be restricted to dead branches only or could it spread and become a problem to the main stems?

Spotted this rather soggy looking fungi at the base of a young cherry. Wondering if its honey fungus? The tree is coming out regardless, but Id be interested to know...

Thanks btggaz, a very helpful response, much appreciated.

Hi, can anyone identify this irregular growth on the branch of a sycamore? The attached image was taken back in may. I have since spotted a similar growth on the trunk of another sycamore more recently. Is this some type of canker? or just a burr? and if so would it have any serious implications for the future health of the tree?

Thanks David, Only took the one photo unfortunately. Having now googled Mycena for a clear image, I think your right. It didn't strike me as being an issue for the tree, interesting to check though.