Bracket fungus - what do I do?

Hello there - a mountain ash tree in my father's back garden is exhibiting a rather fine bracket fungus near its base. Sadly, we've been told that it means the tree has had it and, though it may cling on for a bit, it will eventually die or be blown down down. He's resigned to that, and in fact would like to get on with it really. His question is, does he need to get all the roots out of the ground in order to stop the bracket fungus killing whatever else he puts in its place? Thanks for any advice.

 

Hi JJHislop,

A fungal bracket is the fruiting body of the fungus itself, and appears when it is time to release spores. The fungus itself is a collection of web-like mycellium that inhabit the ground and/or the wood of the tree, and it can reside in the soil for years without anyone knowing.

In order to provide the right answer you'd first need to find out the species of fungi that is affecting the tree. Different fungi attack different trees, some trees are susceptible to fungi and some are not. You could very well plant another tree and it not be affected by the fungus, or alternatively you could plant one that is. It all depends on the species of fungus and species of tree.

 

What a confusing world of mycelium I've entered. Thanks very much.

 

Also, the majority of bracket fungi can only enter already dead material on a tree - i.e. they are exploiting an already diseased, damaged or dying tree, so they are generally a symptom rather than being the cause of the trees demise.

 

BUT Bracket fungi is rather beautiful you have to admit.....fungi in general is quite amazing...sorry about your tree tho!

 

I had a bracket fungus on my apple tree last year, which is very old. I can't remember which (unhelpful I know but it was considered a bad infection) so I cut it out, beyond the fungus into the wood, and sprayed on dettox I think. Anyway, it hasn't come back!

 

Thank-you very much for all your responses. The fungus is a beautiful thing, you're right. Dad just doesn't want it infecting a new tree if he puts it in there instead of the old one (the old one is at least 60 years old - maybe that's old for a mountain ash). Does anyone know what I have to do with the roots of the old tree to get rid of any fungal infection if it does have to come down?