fungus in beech

[Rambling Rob]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me what kind or species of fungus it is that gets into beech, causing the dark lines and patterns in the timber known as 'spalted' beech?

Thanks,

Rob

[hank]

Our own experts can answer that one !

Spalted Beech

H.

[fairplay]

I once went on a Dead Beech wood course in the New Forest with Dr Martyn Ainsworth as our tutor.
My memory is terrible, but I believe 3 fungi were mentioned in relation to the black 'barrier' lines:
Kretzschmaria deusta, Xylaria, and Hypoxylon spp. (esp. H.fragiforme ?)

I'm not sure if all produce these barriers or just the one, and I think I recall melanin being present in the mycelium.

Neil.

[Rambling Rob]

Thanks Hank and Neil. I found a piece of spalted beech where a tree was felled and the fungal pattern in it is quite jazzy. Rob

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Rambling Rob

Thanks Hank and Neil. I found a piece of spalted beech where a tree was felled and the fungal pattern in it is quite jazzy. Rob

" ... and can easily be recognised in the field by the black 'jazzy' lines produced by its mycelium"
Hmm, yes, it might catch on.

Cheers Rob,

Neil.