Hazard Tree Inspection – A Practitioner’s Guide.

LESSER KNOWN FUNGI Bjerkandera adusta – Smokey Bracket

• Sheet like leathery brackets with grey pore surfaces, found on various broadleaves but particularly on Beech. Has a blackish jelly layer if cut or broken. Causes a white rot of the sapwood layer and commonly develops after death of the bark and/or cambium by Nectria coccinea (Beech Bark Disease) or radiation damage. Daedaleopsis confragosa – Blushing Bracket

• A fawn coloured bracket that persists throughout the year. Elongated pores below. Found mainly on Birch and Willow. White rot associated with eventual failure but of little concern as it is nearly always found on small diameter stems. Pholiota squarrosa – Shaggy Pholiota

• Clusters of toadstools with shaggy stipes and caps. Found at the base of various broadleaved trees. As it seems to degrade the rooting structure (white rot) may be associated with wind-throw but trees often seem to develop enough reaction wood to remain stable. Can be confused with Armillaria ostoyae but lacks frill. Flammulina velutipes – The Velvet Shank

• Clusters of toadstools found on a wide range of broadleaved trees (and shrubs). Tawny coloured slimy caps with gills underneath and dark stipes. Tends to be found on exposed sapwood on standing trees. Decay is probably localised and largely insignificant for stability. Hypholoma fasciculare – Sulphur Tuft

• Clusters of sulphur yellow toadstools found on various broadleaves. Very common and could be confused with Armillaria species but lacks a frill around the stipe. Not associated with living tree failures but could degrade roots and butt of dead trees making them unstable. Oudemansiella mucida – Porcelain Fungus

• Ghostly white clusters of toadstools with distinct frills. Slimy caps which are delicate. Often found high above ground level mainly on Beech. A white rot that colonises small areas of wood. Of little significance but indicates a tree in decline, or already dead. Pleurotus ostreatus – Oyster Mushroom

• A non perennial bracket found on various broadleaved hosts. White or gray brackets, often in clusters, with gills on the underside. Selective delignification then eventual intense white rot. Most commonly found on dead trees or dead limbs. Can lead to eventual failure. Edible. Often found in the depths of winter. Stereum gausapatum – Bleeding Oak Crust

• Sheet like brown fructification with no pores or gills. Bleeds when scratched. Found mainly on dead and dying oak limbs. May increase rate of limb decline/death. Stereum rugosum – Bleeding Broadleaved Crust

• Similar to S. gausapatum but lighter in colour and found on various broadleaves. Associated with canker rot, flattening of the stem and staining of the heartwood on Beech.