rory291

I contacted my LA and they assured me it isn't a protected tree. We have had some quotes of around £1000 to take it down to a metre high stump. But a trusted friend of the family is doing it for around 600 in two weeks time, he is an experienced tree surgeon. We had someone come along saying the tree was fine and that the mushrooms were a sign of healthy soil! I was wondering...mushrooms are saphrophytic feeders aren't they? I removed one big growth about two weeks ago that weighed a couple of Kgs, it grew back fast! And now must weigh close to 6Kgs (it's huge!) But all that mass is directly from the tree isn't it? They obviously don't photosynthesise. Photos below taken today

I contacted my LA and they assured me it isn't a protected tree. We have had some quotes of around £1000 to take it down to a metre high stump. But a trusted friend of the family is doing it for around 600 in two weeks time, he is an experienced tree surgeon. We had someone come along saying the tree was fine and that the mushrooms were a sign of healthy soil! I was wondering...mushrooms are saphrophytic feeders aren't they? I removed one big growth about two weeks ago that weighed a couple of Kgs, it grew back fast! And now must weigh close to 6Kgs (it's huge!) But all that mass is directly from the tree isn't it? They obviously don't photosynthesise.

Thanks all for the input. I think we will get it removed sharpish incase it drops! It's a shame as I imagine it was a lovely tree. We've just moved into the house so I may put a sign up letting our neighbours know we aren't murderers!

Most leaves are brown as you can see. The tree is also heavy on one side

Does my tree need to come down?