Should I make friends with this bracket?

limewashman · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 07:50 PM

Hi! This is a bit new to me but I am a bit concerned about a large Bracket fungi at the base of the Copper Beech tree in our garden. We are very fond of our tree and hope the fungus won't murder it, or, should we become fond of our fungus and not worry about the tree. The tree is strong and healthy though not a very good shape because a False Accacia was growing right up close to it, earlier this year this tree died and I cut it down. the logs were very soft and rotten perhaps some of the debris from this tree has encouraged the Bracket to grow. To protect our tree should I remove the fungus, or try to kill it or what? any ideas? I will attempt to send some pictures, you will see that one has has a black tyre mark across it where the car gets parked. Image: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...IMG0218aaa.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi & beech tree - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0217.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0216.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0215.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics)

leifus · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 08:00 PM

Hi and welcome to WAB!!

Your photos are too small - try this link:

Login - Wild About Britain Pics

find your photo, and press upload/submit. When its uploaded copy the forum code below the image and paste it into HERE. Then submit the post and it will be there

hope that helps

fairplay · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 08:38 PM

Limewashman,

Your Beech Tree is under serious attack by Meripilus giganteus.

Removing the Brackets will have no effect on stopping the rot inside the tree what-so-ever.

Beech are very prone to dropping branches without warning, the fact your tree is seriously under attack by 'Meripulus' must make this more likely to happen.

There is no cure, and because this seems to be located in a residential area, the the tree must be felled as soon as possible, because, as the owner, and there being obvious symptoms of disease, you are legally responsible for any damage caused.

Do not risk the whole tree falling over in a storm/high winds - remember, this fungus is slowly dissolving away the roots, so is only standing due to gravitational force.

Do not risk human life, fell it now.

Neil.

Andy Overall · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limewashman

Hi! This is a bit new to me but I am a bit concerned about a large Bracket fungi at the base of the Copper Beech tree in our garden. We are very fond of our tree and hope the fungus won't murder it, or, should we become fond of our fungus and not worry about the tree. The tree is strong and healthy though not a very good shape because a False Accacia was growing right up close to it, earlier this year this tree died and I cut it down. the logs were very soft and rotten perhaps some of the debris from this tree has encouraged the Bracket to grow. To protect our tree should I remove the fungus, or try to kill it or what? any ideas? I will attempt to send some pictures, you will see that one has has a black tyre mark across it where the car gets parked. Image: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...IMG0218aaa.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi & beech tree - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0217.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0216.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...s/RIMG0215.JPG (limewashman's bracket fungi - Wild About Britain Pics)

Hi,

I don't like being the bearer of bad news but the fungus you have there is a serious root rotter, especially of Beech. It is called Meripilus giganteus or The Giant Polypore and it will rot the roots of this Beech tree, while the rest of the tree appears quite healthy. I know of no way of getting rid of it and I have heard that once the fruitbody of this fungus appears the roots are damned. But there is a ray of light, it is edible when very young, when it looks not unlike stags horn, though I am sure this is no solace when faced with losing a dear friend.

Sorry

Andy

limewashman · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 09:11 PM

Thanks for your replies, not good news, I had better destroy or eat it. hopefully to stop it spreading to other nearby trees, I hope it doesnt get into my container. It will be a sad moment as it is quite a landmark so Ill have to inform the council. I presume speed is the essence.

Phoebe · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 09:39 PM

Hi limeswashman

I've just read this link and looked at your pictures. What a lovely tree. I did not know about this fungus and what it can do. Such a shame.

fairplay · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 09:48 PM

Destroy or eating it makes no difference - it is there inside your tree where the rotting is taking place. It is the fungal roots - the mycelium, which is doing the damage.

What you see is merely the fruiting body, this is not doing anything to the tree, it is there only to produce litterally billions of spores which it has done by now.

Some of these spores would have landed onto fresh wounds on other Beech trees caused by cars driving too close to them, poor tree surgery, vandalism etc.

If you are the tenant and do not own the property, it is still your duty to tell your landlord.

If you own the tree, telling the council will only result in them telling you what I have told you.

Do you know which direction the next strong gales are going to come from? do you know which way the tree will fall? do you know if a child will be underneath it when it falls ? How will you feel ??

Neil.

Morchella · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 10:25 PM

Neil,

Telling the council would be essential if limewashman lives in a Conservation Area or if the tree has a TPO.

It is a shame - looks like a really nice tree.

Morchella

fairplay · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 10:47 PM

You're right Morchella, I should know as I used to be the tree warden for a village with a conservation area status.

Equally a tree of this size and importance to the community could have TPO status, if either apply, the council's tree officer will need to come out for a look - see and will provide you with a list of locally qualified tree surgeons if you do not feel able to safely do the job yourself.

I have absolutely no doubt they will advice you to fell.

Be prepared for a large bill, or an even bigger penalty if you take no action and the worst happens.

In the meantime, you could protect yourself by taping off the tree preventing the public from coming anywhere within the likely danger (falling) zone.

Neil.