polyporus squamosus - Dryad's saddle?

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
3,970
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Britannia!
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Saw this big fat bracket fungus in a nearby orchard the other day, I believe its polyporus squamosus and edible! Correct me if I'm wrong though. ;)

Will this kill the apple tree it had grown on? Clearly the spores got into the tree via the branch that had been removed. I'd like to assist by removing the shroom and keeping the tree alive, any advice on doing this successfully??

Sorry about the naff pictures they're done with my phone as I have no means to extract t from my car!era ATM.

Cheers
 

owenallpress

Member
Aug 27, 2012
10
1
UK
Removing fungal fruiting bodies is not a cure for the decay they cause as this is purely the reproductive element of the organism. The greater part of the fungi lives within the wood of the tree and will continue to decay the tree until the food source is exhausted. At this time abundant fruit bodies will likely become evident as the organism tried to jump ship.

There is no "cure" the for this fungi, it is parasitic and attacks live wood so it is likely it will be the end of the Apple either through senescence or structural failure.

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Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
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Britannia!
That's a real shame..

Will removing the fuited fungi help prevent it from getting to the other trees? There are apparently over one hundred species of apple ttthere and I'd hate for the future of potential rare apple trees to be in jepordy!
 

owenallpress

Member
Aug 27, 2012
10
1
UK
It may be worth it but by looking at the size of it trillions of spores are likely to have been released already. Generally in rural areas spores from fungi omnipresent. Better fruit tree management and pruning techniques can be preventative possibly by felling trees with infections such as this and burning the timber. Leaving the timber stacked may allow further fruit bodies to form.

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Harvestman

Bushcrafter through and through
May 11, 2007
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Pontypool, Wales, Uk
Have you eaten one before? Not one I've tried.

I hadn't noticed the comment about it being on an apple tree in an orchard. I would see about felling it and taking the timber - could have some interesting spalting going on?

I have eaten one, and they are not bad, if nothing special, but they get tougher and can be bitter when larger.
 

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
3,970
45
Britannia!
I'll contact the orchard management (its public) and offer advice/assistance. The orchard is part of an old hospital ground, now open to the public after years of being hidden behind bars.G
Go
Way to get into the job too!

Thanks for the advice as well guys.
 

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