What's this then?

[BorderReiver]

This looks to me like Fomes Fomentarius but it is in my local wood and I am in Norfolk.

Any ideas?

 

[Ranger Bob]

It does indeed appear to be Fomes Fomentarius, alot of people believe that it only grows in the north on dead birch....however it is actually fairly widespread and in the south, tends to grow on beech and only occasionally on birch.
I am not an expert on fungi, but what you have there is very similar to FF that I have found but a slightly lighter colour.
One test which sometimes works......the white pore mouths on the bottom of the fungi will, if its alive, turn a pale purple when touched.(has only rarly worked for me.)

 

[BorderReiver]

Thanks Bob.

I thought it was but wasn't too sure if it was found this far south.

I have prodded the base and there are dark marks where I pushed.The whole thing seemed very solid,no "give" at all under finger pressure.

 

[Marts]

It does indeed look like FF. and quite a small young one.
What Ranger Bob said about tree host is right, although down south they have also been found on sycamore trees.

 

[Ranger Bob]

they have also been found on sycamore trees.

Really!!! That a new one on me......is that the south in general or is it localised somewhere? Oh, and is that on living or dead sycamore?

 

[Marts]

Sycamore and Beech in Southern England. Have to say I've never personally found them on sycamore. I assume that it will be dying/dead standing trees as its a long-term white-heart rot pathogen.