What is this?

junospider

This is growing at the base of a mature beech tree sown in 1813. Is the tree doomed or what's the story?

Chucken

Looks like "Chicken of the forest"




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laetiporus

periodictable

Meripilus giganteus-cause of white rot in beech

knownothing

periodictable wrote: »

Meripilus giganteus-cause of white rot in beech

does it attack only mature beech or all

periodictable

Not entirely sure but I suspect it attacks older trees that are stressed in some way rather than young vigorous trees. I can't recall seeing it on young trees, almost always on large and obviously older trees. The best way to think of thes slow infections of older plants as similar to diseases/or progressive ailments that hit humans like liver spots or arthritis. The immune system begins to fray a little and things break down. Same for most organisms.

Oldtree

all trees, but beech more prone to it. No remedy, decay will continue. If in a hazard area may need tree assessed by professional with a view to remove, as a tree owner you are liable for it, if in a corner of a field with no hazards let nature take its course.

An oak takes 300 years to grow, 300 years to mature and 300 years to die. They dying process of a tree is a part of its life