Tree Fungi at Wigwam Falls

by Greg Reed

Title

Tree Fungi at Wigwam Falls

Artist

Greg Reed

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Tree Fungi

The Kingdom of Fungi is vast and remains somewhat mysterious. Fungi play vital roles in many ecosystems and are crucial to the lifecycles of many plant species on this planet. With a feeling connections between fungi and trees remain somewhat un-bridged, we have decided to collaborate our knowledge, research and observations here; as an aid to all.

Fungi can be put into three groups distinguished by how they feed:

Symbiotic or Mycorrhizal fungi live in association with many vascular plants' root systems, and a beneficial exchange takes place between the two. The fungi will have almost constant access to the trees carbohydrate stores, in return benefiting the trees ability to absorb water and minerals with its structure of highly absorbent mycelium, effectively expanding the root system of the host plant
One of the most notable relationships we have of this kind is that of the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) with the Silver Birch (Betula pendula)

Saprophytic fungi live on dead organic matter. This group of fungi will usually only take advantage of dieback caused by a separate factor, e.g. drought, rather than being the cause of decline themselves. While their role in the woodland ecosystem is every bit as important as that of the symbiotic, they are not so good to see on amenity trees. They may not kill trees but can ultimately cause mechanical failure.
A common and easily distinguishable saprophytic fungus is the Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)

Parasitic fungi live off or at the expense of their live host plant, often resulting in the demise of this host. In general these fungi will only target already unhealthy or stressed plants. No bad thing in the woodland ecosystem as it makes way for regeneration, but again not good for amenity trees.
While parasitic fungi on the whole blend in with everything else happening around us, from time to time they have had catastrophic consequences. There can be no better memorable example than the near end of elm trees due to Dutch elm disease in the 1970’s. This was thanks to the microscopic Ophiostoma novo-ulmi fungus.
The most prevalent of the parasitic fungi that also happens to be noticeably saprophytic is Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)

The fungi in these three groups each have very different implications and in some cases, end results for their hosts. To follow is a list that we will try to add to on a regular basis.
You will find the fungi listed by order of the month they are seen, starting late summer when most fungi will begin to fruit and finishing with the perennial brackets.

Source: www.greenmanconservation.co.uk/Tree_Decay_Fungi.htm


Wigwam Falls on Yankee Horse Ridge


34.4 mile post Wigwam Falls


Found at Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area.

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March 13th, 2023

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