Blossom tree fungus

sumart · 5th June 2007, 08:15 AM

Hi,
I have a blossom tree in my back garden which I am very worried about. I am afraid that my gardening knowledge is very limited, but I will try to explain my problem, as best I can. The blossom tree is about 45 - 50 years old, is about 35 - 40 feet tall. It has developed a grey powdery substance over it's bark. This symptom is not unique to this tree as it appears to have affected my neighbours Laburnum, (He got a tree guy in who thinks it could be Honey Fungus, but can't be certain).There seems to be pale mustard coloured fungus on certain branches, not the whole tree. On another particular branch, the leaves have started to shrivel and turn brown, unlike the rest of the branches. The trunk of the tree is very soft and can be pierced with a typical house key without any effort. Is there anyone out there who can maybe shed some light on this what the problem is? Can it be cured? Or will I just have to bite the bullit and fell the old faithful? Obviously, I don't want to get rid of the tree but, I am also worried that it is quite close to the house and could fall over.
Yours Worried,
Martin.

Eric Frei · 5th June 2007, 09:04 AM

It could be powdery mildew or something a lot more sinister as you have mentioned.

Can you load up some pics of the tree, close up of the fungi etc. Also your location.

Are there any fruiting bodies or mushrooms in the area, look around the base.

Tree Machine · 5th June 2007, 02:38 PM

Yes, we need more clues. Any pics would be helpful.

Honey fungus is very vague, though fungus in the Armillaria family is often called the honey mushroom because of it's distinct soft brown/ caramel color. This fungus gets more press than most others because it can be a parasite on trees, quite unusual, but because of this treemen read more on this fungus than many others. So, if you have a tree with a problem, and you see a fungus, honey mushroom, or Armillaria often just pops out as a possibility because of remote association, not necessarily that the diagnosis was come upon with any basis in biology or taxonomy. My guess is that the treeguy's guess was just a guess.

There are thousands of species of fungi. Honey mushroom is not a powdery type.

Pictures and your location would be most helpful. Also, what kind of tree? Please share pictures of the bark and leaves if possible.

Also, is the tree where a a lawn sprinkler can reach it?

sumart · 7th June 2007, 07:08 AM

Hi,
Here are some pictures of the tree, (Full view, Grey substance, fungus, dying leaves & bark). I think that it is a cherry blossom, as it produces beautiful deep fuschia pink coloured blossom every couple of years, but I cannot be certain. My location is south Manchester, England, so we get plenty of rain and a little sun. The garden is west facing. There doesn?t seem to be any fungus around the base, only on some of the mid branches. Yes, a sprinkler would be able to reach the tree, but we haven?t used one. Hope this helps.
Thanks again,
Martin

Eric Frei · 7th June 2007, 09:01 AM

There seems to be quite a lot of wounds or cankers on the underneath of those branches that are covered with fungi.

We have an excellent fungi page here All about fungi

Check out the links.

I would suggest pruning off the affected parts and disposing of the cuttings.

Also perhaps thinning the canopy out to let more light and air movement in may help.

There are a variety of fungicides on the market, if there's infestations still present after pruning or simply too many to prune off try applying some of the soluable spray ones.

I'm no expert in fungi, we dont have too many here. But it's not honey fungus. The old saying of improving the trees health and vigour is true ... make sure the trees not too deeply rooted, maybe have a ring of mulch instead of grass under the tree.

mdvaden · 7th June 2007, 03:46 PM

The silvery things are probably lichens which are fine.

And the mushroom-like fungi are not-so-good.

Anyone recognize the tree. It doesn't ring a bell for me.

Jamie Myers · 8th June 2007, 08:27 AM

looks like a malus

sumart · 9th June 2007, 07:34 AM

Hi there, forgot to mention, the tree doesn't bear fruit or berries.

Martin

5th June 2007, 08:15 AM	#1
sumart I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Blossom tree fungus Hi, I have a blossom tree in my back garden which I am very worried about. I am afraid that my gardening knowledge is very limited, but I will try to explain my problem, as best I can. The blossom tree is about 45 - 50 years old, is about 35 - 40 feet tall. It has developed a grey powdery substance over it's bark. This symptom is not unique to this tree as it appears to have affected my neighbours Laburnum, (He got a tree guy in who thinks it could be Honey Fungus, but can't be certain).There seems to be pale mustard coloured fungus on certain branches, not the whole tree. On another particular branch, the leaves have started to shrivel and turn brown, unlike the rest of the branches. The trunk of the tree is very soft and can be pierced with a typical house key without any effort. Is there anyone out there who can maybe shed some light on this what the problem is? Can it be cured? Or will I just have to bite the bullit and fell the old faithful? Obviously, I don't want to get rid of the tree but, I am also worried that it is quite close to the house and could fall over. Yours Worried, Martin.

5th June 2007, 09:04 AM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	It could be powdery mildew or something a lot more sinister as you have mentioned. Can you load up some pics of the tree, close up of the fungi etc. Also your location. Are there any fruiting bodies or mushrooms in the area, look around the base. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th June 2007, 07:08 AM	#4
sumart I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Blossom Tree Fungus Hi, Here are some pictures of the tree, (Full view, Grey substance, fungus, dying leaves & bark). I think that it is a cherry blossom, as it produces beautiful deep fuschia pink coloured blossom every couple of years, but I cannot be certain. My location is south Manchester, England, so we get plenty of rain and a little sun. The garden is west facing. There doesn?t seem to be any fungus around the base, only on some of the mid branches. Yes, a sprinkler would be able to reach the tree, but we haven?t used one. Hope this helps. Thanks again, Martin Attached Thumbnails

7th June 2007, 09:01 AM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	There seems to be quite a lot of wounds or cankers on the underneath of those branches that are covered with fungi. We have an excellent fungi page here All about fungi Check out the links. I would suggest pruning off the affected parts and disposing of the cuttings. Also perhaps thinning the canopy out to let more light and air movement in may help. There are a variety of fungicides on the market, if there's infestations still present after pruning or simply too many to prune off try applying some of the soluable spray ones. I'm no expert in fungi, we dont have too many here. But it's not honey fungus. The old saying of improving the trees health and vigour is true ... make sure the trees not too deeply rooted, maybe have a ring of mulch instead of grass under the tree. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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5th June 2007, 02:38 PM	#3
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 952	Yes, we need more clues. Any pics would be helpful. Honey fungus is very vague, though fungus in the Armillaria family is often called the honey mushroom because of it's distinct soft brown/ caramel color. This fungus gets more press than most others because it can be a parasite on trees, quite unusual, but because of this treemen read more on this fungus than many others. So, if you have a tree with a problem, and you see a fungus, honey mushroom, or Armillaria often just pops out as a possibility because of remote association, not necessarily that the diagnosis was come upon with any basis in biology or taxonomy. My guess is that the treeguy's guess was just a guess. There are thousands of species of fungi. Honey mushroom is not a powdery type. Pictures and your location would be most helpful. Also, what kind of tree? Please share pictures of the bark and leaves if possible. Also, is the tree where a a lawn sprinkler can reach it?

7th June 2007, 03:46 PM	#6
mdvaden Former Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 396	The silvery things are probably lichens which are fine. And the mushroom-like fungi are not-so-good. Anyone recognize the tree. It doesn't ring a bell for me.

8th June 2007, 08:27 AM	#7
Jamie Myers Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 252	looks like a malus

9th June 2007, 07:34 AM	#8
sumart I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Hi there, forgot to mention, the tree doesn't bear fruit or berries. Martin