Penguin&teddy

Thank you for all for your time and helpful suggestions Its heart breaking to think that our beautiful tree could have been irreversibly damaged by someone who had been recommended to us and who we trusted was a trained professional (and paid a lot of money!). Our next door neighbours recently had to remove a Cherry tree from their front yard that died after being cut back by a different tree surgeon. Its difficult to know who to trust when you are a complete novice. I'll look for someone to remove the damaged branch and hope for the very best when the Spring comes. Thanks again for all your constructive advise.

Thank you...just nipped out to take a photo! Just to say there isn't any fungus around the base, those are stones that were there when we moved in and we haven't touched them. thanks again

Thanks so much for the fast reply. No ground work in the front garden. Ive been racking my brain to think of anything different. The only thing that i could say is that a couple of times I've caught my little boys trying to climb it but nothing else. The fungus is only on one major branch. As you've probably guessed I don't know a great deal about trees and am probably grasping at straws because it is such a beautiful tree and i can't image the garden without it but if we have someone cut the branch with fungus away might there be a chance of saving the rest of the tree??? Thanks again

We have a stunning rowan tree in our front garden (north facing, West of Scotland). We moved in 2 years ago at which time a tree surgeon cut it back. It produced berries that year and last and looked healthy. Over the last 3 months the bark on the trunk has begun splitting and feels soggy beneath. In areas on the branches a very firm yellowy plaque like fungus has started growing along the fissures in the bark. As yet it hasn't any signs of leaves or berries growing although its very early in the year. I am worried that the tree might be dying - I've read that Rowan trees don't live very long and this one does look mature although we have no idea how old it is. Nothing else in the front garden has changed. Id be really grateful if you could help me identify whats happening and what we might be able to do to save our tree. Many thanks