Some daft fungal questions ?

[village wench]

Do any fungi have Mycorrhizal relationships with horse chestnut trees ?
Does beefsteak fungus kill Oaks or just live on poorly ones or do they live together happily ?
Which of the more common Agaricus sp have pinky coloured flesh when cut ?
Karen

[NickCantle]

I vaguely recall a relationship between Horse Chestnut and Cantharellus tubaeformis, but I might be confusing that with Sweet Chestnut

Fistulina hepatica (Which I've just read sometimes favours Chestnut ) has a certain effect on Oak which causes it to change colour and turn a darker more 'Umber' colour. It's in rather high demand. I have no clue as to whether it kills the tree or lives on old ones or what. I'll do some reading

The more 'common' and well known Agaricus with pinky colouring bruised/cut flesh;

Agaricus silvaticus (Comes to mind most)
Agaricus campestris
Agaricus langei
Agaricus augustus
Agaricus bisporus

I don't think I answered your questions but I hope you find the info useful

Nick

[village wench]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I vaguely recall a relationship between Horse Chestnut and Cantharellus tubaeformis, but I might be confusing that with Sweet Chestnut

Fistulina hepatica (Which I've just read sometimes favours Chestnut ) has a certain effect on Oak which causes it to change colour and turn a darker more 'Umber' colour. It's in rather high demand. I have no clue as to whether it kills the tree or lives on old ones or what. I'll do some reading

The more 'common' and well known Agaricus with pinky colouring bruised/cut flesh;

Agaricus silvaticus (Comes to mind most)
Agaricus campestris
Agaricus langei
Agaricus augustus
Agaricus bisporus

I don't think I answered your questions but I hope you find the info useful

Nick

Any help is just that 'help',
I wondered about the conker trees because although we have loads round here it is about the only tree that seems to have no fruiting bodies popping up round it at any time of year.
The oak question is because some really ancient oaks were cut down diseased a half dozen years ago and they are still sprouting fistulina from the dead trunks not the root stock.You are right about the wood though,it is a fantastic rich deep reddy brown,such a shame it is just sitting there rotting,although it does have a few interesting fungi making use of it
The pinky agaricus is because I found some small ones in a field and when I picked one and cut it in half the flesh was pink.

Thanks
Karen

[NickCantle]

Got any pictures of the Agaricus Karen?

[village wench]

Not of the one I cut ,but this is the same one...........rather neat little things like supermarket mushrooms,

[CapAndBracket]

I believe the relationship between tree species and fungi relies somewhat on how long the trees have been around so fungi can adapt to them, horse chestnut a relitively new to this continent so have few if any fungal partners here. (ready to be wrong).

Cheers J.P.

[village wench]

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

I believe the relationship between tree species and fungi relies somewhat on how long the trees have been around so fungi can adapt to them, horse chestnut a relitively new to this continent so have few if any fungal partners here. (ready to be wrong).

Cheers J.P.

I didn't think about that,having spent a while trying to find answers via the google god I did know that conker trees had only been here a few hundred years..........thanks
karen

[fairplay]

I know of no mycorrhizal fungi associated with Horse Chestnut, but I'm certain there are some, but Polyporus squamosus and Ganoderma applanatum are known to attack this tree.

Fistulina hepatica lives on the dead heartwood of principally Oaks and Sweet Chestnut, eventually over a long period hollowing out the trunks and extending their life leading to them becoming 'veteran trees' - so important to wildlife.

Neil.

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

I believe the relationship between tree species and fungi relies somewhat on how long the trees have been around so fungi can adapt to them, horse chestnut a relitively new to this continent so have few if any fungal partners here. (ready to be wrong).

Cheers J.P.

That might explain also why I find few fungi in sycamore forests. Sycamore is a foreign invader to this country as far as I'm aware, although native to other parts of Europe. Just as a matter of interest (or not ) I have recorded Russula ochroleuca, Tricholomopsis rutilans, Gymnopus dryophilus, Clitocybe fragrans, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Coprinus micaceus, Psathyrella candolleana and especially Clitocybe nebularis under sycamore. Compare that to all the fungal species you get with beech and even the monoculture conifer plantations.

I am with Karen on the Horse Chestnut, never ever found anything under those.

Nick.

[Hedge Witch]

I always thought that Fistulina hepatica eventually killed the tree, but glad to be proved wrong

The fungus simply extracts enough nourishment for itself and the wood is stained by the chemical changes that occur. Some specimen trees also show brown penetrating from the tree root. This is particularly apparent in old park grown trees. It is a highly prized and valuable timber and most trees are cut into veneers.

Interesting.