Possible Russula Under Beech Essex Garden

[FranOnTheEdge]

Okay, My first post here and - typically - it's a question:
In our garden under a beech tree that's growing rather close to the house we currently have these:

This image shows the cap and under the cap the spore holes. Sorry, I can't find any of my fungi books and I've forgotten the correct term for "Spore Holes".

There are quite a collection of this fungi growing in the same area: under a large beech tree, this tree is quite close to the house so my Mother wants to know if the appearance of these specimens means that the beech tree is doomed - in case the house could be next!

Here is a cross section through a fairly young specimen:

and here is a cross section through an older specimen:

You can see there that the cap is turning more brown than red and that the underside is beginning to deliquesce.

Here is an older group:

You can see that they are beginning to blacken around the edges.

Here is a shot of 2 younger specimens:

You can see some nibbling has been going on.

Here:

and Here:

Shots show cracking on larger caps and some splotching.

So, finally, here are my questions:

Is the beech tree doomed? What is this fungi? Is it edible?

I wondered if it was some sort of Russula?

Fran

[flaxton]

Hi Fran
A warm welcome to the WAB forum. To answer your questions
1 No the beech tree is fine this kind of fungi is not a sign that the tree is dying
2 I am pretty sure you have found a good collection of Xerocomus rubellus
3 Not sure if it is edible it in certainly not one I have tried.
You only had one letter wrong with you spore holes they are just called pores
Mal
Ps watch out for others to comment we sometimes disagree on identifications

[KeenTeen17]

welcome indeed!

it does look like flaxton is right about the mushroomm

[fairplay]

Hi Fran,

Yes, I would agree with B. rubellus too.

Yours is a very good example of why fungi are so difficult to identify. This species is really beautiful when young, but as it matures it almost totally looses that lovely red colour on the cap and to the unwary can easily trick them into thinking this is just another Boletus chrysenteron in it's many guises.

Neil.

[FranOnTheEdge]

Oh that's great news. Thanks so much. So the house is safe - wonderful.

On the further subject of the fungi, I think I found two more of the same fungi - but about a couple of hundred yards away, in a completely different area of the garden.

Is this a fairly common species?

This is great to have found this forum, I've wanted to know more about fungi for many years now, and my books were never quite enough.

[fairplay]

In Suffolk, I wouldn't say they are that common, scarce even, but maybe misidentified or overlooked a lot.

In the case of your beech tree your fungi will be forming a 'mycorhizal relationship' with it, whereby they will be providing nutrients for each other and your beech will be all the better for it.

All part of nature.

Neil.

[fairplay]

As an after thought, if your Beech is large, be aware these trees are prone to dropping large branches without warning especially in times of drought.

So never allow branches to threaten your roof if it is close to the house.
Also at this time of year look out for a large light brown Bracket fungus called Meripilus giganteus - the Giant Polypore, growing on a possible wound at the base of the tree trunk.

This would be bad news so look up this fungus and call in a tree expert if you suspect you may have this showing.

Another wood rotter to watch out for is Kretzschmaria deusta the Brittle Cinder fungus, growing on open wounds such as where a branch has snapped off or cut off and has left an open wound.

Neil.

[Morchella]

If the tree is mature I think I'd get it checked every 2 years or so by an arboricultural consultant - you can find one near you at http://www.trees.org.uk/consultants.php Doesn't cost that much and they can tell you if any work needs doing to keep the tree in a safe and healthy condition

[FranOnTheEdge]

"In the case of your beech tree your fungi will be forming a 'mycorhizal relationship' with it, whereby they will be providing nutrients for each other and your beech will be all the better for it."

Oh that sounds nice, and very reassuring.

Thanks, Neil.

Luckily there are no Giant Polypore or any Brittle Cinder – I've never seen the latter but have often seen the Polypore, but on fallen or otherwise already decaying timber, so no danger there.

The trees in our garden get checked fairly frequently as we have so many – we lost over 100 trees in the storm of '87 and the wood at the bottom of the garden got well thinned out then. Since then we have been much more aware of the trees we have and the local tree fellers... or is that tree fellas?... delight in charging us for as many tree jobs as they can.

I did look at that list you posted Morchella, in the hopes of finding someone less likely to just charge you if they think they can get away with it – but unfortunately none of those in the list seem to be in Essex, (Colchester,) where we are, or even in Suffolk – which we are close to; parts of anyway.

Never mind, it was a nice idea, thanks.

Fran