Two for ID

[David Jones]

Hi folks, I'd very much appreciate an ID on the two below, wife and I are worried that they may be honey fungus :


Above has quite a slimy texture, but could find no "black bootlace" evidence under the bark of the sycamore stump on which it is growing.
Sycamore felled around 8-9 years ago, but only died about 2 years ago.


This one about 1m away from the sycamore stump.

Both have fruited for the first time only recently (last 2-3 days).

[Chris Yeates]

heloo and welcome to WAB

it is indeed honey fungus, Armillaria sp. ; though not all the species are parasitic . . .

best wishes

Chris

[Chris Yeates]

hello and welcome to WAB

it is indeed honey fungus, Armillaria sp. ; though not all the species are virulently parasitic . . .

best wishes

Chris

[David Jones]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your swift reply


Would getting the stump removed (it's about 2 ft diameter, so via a contractor I guess) and armillatox be the way forward?

[David Jones]

Spoken with local tree surgeon, who took a look and confirmed honey fungus.
As we're not sure whether it's parasitic or not, we think it's best to try and reduce it (I would normally not intervene, we have a wildlife garden, with lots of other fungus, etc).

Anyway, he recommended an alternative to removing the stump and using armillatox - a dilute solution of Jeyes fluid (egg cup to a gallon) sprinkled over the area of the stump (which we usually use to feed the birds/hedgehogs on, which we will avoid doing in this area for a couple of weeks or so, until the chemicals have had a chance to dilute further).

That way we can keep the stump for wildlife for a few more years.. :-)