Native oak trees – keystone species in our woodlands - are under threat from Acute Oak Decline (AOD). The disease is increasingly affecting mature native oak trees across Britain, causing rapid decline and death within as little as 4-5 years. We are seeking help from woodland owners and managers for an important new research project aiming to monitor the health of oak trees across the country. We want to capture the current health of oak trees so we can make comparisons between affected and symptom free woodlands. We hope to understand the differences in environment, underlying health of the trees and importantly the role of management in improving outcomes. AOD can be diagnosed by a depleted oak crown, black stem bleeding, and D-shaped exit holes (left by the Agrilus biguttatus beetle). The disease can seriously diminish health and resilience of infected trees, for example by making them more susceptible to honey fungus. AOD can spread within a woodland once introduced and exacerbate existing stresses. Sylva Foundation is working closely with scientists from Forest Research and Aberystwyth University to understand more about this devastating disease. We are looking for volunteers to assess five or more oak trees, between June and August. Using a purpose-built web app, you will help by assessing each oak tree which should take no more than 5 minutes. The data will then be shared with researchers via Forest Lab. Please sign up to the project today to help this important research. Simply click on Forest Lab after creating an account (free) in myForest here Full details about how to take part and data privacy are provided at sign-up. NOTE : Celyn is a researcher at Aberystwyth University,  working with Forest Research and SYLVA  

Various Wildlife Trusts are experiencing financial problems as a result of Ash Dieback.  Dead and dying trees are to be found in woodlands up and down the country, (some of which are managed by local Wildlife Trusts).    The fungus has its origins in Asia and has spread across Europe for the last thirty years. It was seen in Denmark in 2002, and has spread across the country by 2005.  It  is now to be found in  Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland. It probably arrived here on imported (and infected) plants, though its spores are easily spread on the wind.  Once infected, the fungus affects the movement of water, minerals and sugars as the vascular system (xylem and associated tissues) is impacted.  Once a tree has been infected with the fungus, it may then be colonised by another pathogen such as the honey fungus (Armillaria spp).  Symptoms of ash dieback may include Shoot tips become black and shrivel, side shoots on young trees may die. Dead and ‘black’ leaves can be seen, their veins and stalks of turned brown.  Leaves shed early. Branches begin to dieback Diamond-shaped dark lesions form on the trunk near to dead side shoots.  In late summer, small white fruiting bodies can be found on blackened leaf stalks (see Jasper’s detailed blog). [caption id="attachment_39049" align="aligncenter" width="600"] the fungus emerging from blackened dead ash petiole.[/caption]   The dead and decaying trees pose a threat (as they become weakened and brittle), and need to be removed.  Removal is an expensive process and takes money from the Wildlife Trusts that would otherwise be used for habitat restoration, new planting etc. Apart from affecting the beauty of our woodlands and hedgerows, the loss of these trees has ‘knock on’ effects for other species.  Brown eared bats and barbastelle bats are known to nest in ash trees, the trees also provide perches and nest sites for birds and act as a substrate for epiphytes such as lichens and mosses.  The loss of ash tree will also affect the plants beneath, plants that like damp shady conditions such as lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) and dog’s mercury; these may be replaced by light loving species / grasses. Featured image : Ash in winter Detailed information of Ash Dieback : https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2017/06/fcrn029.pdf [note this link downloads a PDF].  

The honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) is a plant pathogen, found across the world. It colonises and kills a variety of trees and woody plants, producing yellow-brown mushrooms that appear above ground.  These are the fruiting bodies of a much larger organism, that can spread over large distances underground.  The honey fungus can grow and spread by means of rhizomorphs.  These act as a system of underground structures that invade and decompose wood and roots.  They allow the fungus to infect, spread and survive for long periods of time.  Once the honey fungus is present in a garden, it can be managed but rarely eradicated. Read more...

The mushrooms, toadstools or fungi that attract the most attention tend to be the more colourful, exotic, rare, recognisable or tastiest types. The Clouded Funnel can lay claim to none of these virtues. They are as common as muck and, while at one point considered edible, are now seen as best avoided for the table. Nevertheless, despite the prevalence of the species in both coniferous and broad-leafed woodland environments, this belle laide of the mushroom world does have its charms if you are prepared to look more closely. Read more...

Fifty shades of brown, these are the hues in which we tend to imagine our Autumns, but it struck me while wood-wandering one sunny day recently that we are still just within that transitional period of the year, around the equinox, when yellows and oranges stand out brighter than ever within the forest colour palette. As we ease into October, the woods are positively bursting with Ochre russulas (Russula ochroleuca), Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) and Laughing Gyms (Gymnopilus junonius) and there is also still a good chance of crossing paths with the standout egg-yolk smears of Fuligo septica, or the Dog Vomit slime mould . Read more...

Paul Stamets in his mycological bible Mycelium Running writes that “Mushrooms can be placed in 4 basic categories: saprophytic, parasitic, mycorrhizal, and endophytic, depending upon how they nourish themselves,” pointing out that many deploy a mixture of all these strategies. The woodlands blog has featured the mycorrhizal types such as the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) that derive their energy by forming mutually-beneficial relationships through extending the root systems of trees and other plants. Both parasitic and endophytic types sustain themselves by living on or within other organisms, be they plant, animal or whatever, the former to the detriment of its host, the latter harmless and sometimes even beneficial. The pathogenic Honey Fungus (Armillariam sp.) is a good example of a parasitic type, while the relationship between Tar Spots and the leaves of the sycamores and acers that they appear on is best described as endophytic. Read more...

February isn’t, generally speaking, the most conducive time of year to go roaming the woods or immerse yourself in the great outdoors. With its cold rains, claggy mud, bare trees, muted colours and short daylight hours, it is a month marked by dormancy for many, although still one in which the early green shoots and nascent buds are at least appearing to signal some sort of an end to another grey and dreary English winter. With the fleshier varieties of fungi, much of the dramatic flushes of just a few months ago have long died and rotted back into their substrates. However, there are a few more durable species that persist around the year, although generally ones that tend to be overlooked because they are so ubiquitous, inedible, and, at first glance at least, not particularly interesting. Read more...

The honey fungus (Armillaria) is one of the most widespread pathogens, and is found across the globe. There are a number of related species of Armillaria that parasitise the roots and trunks of a wide variety of trees; they can also feed saprophytically on the dead remains of the trees. Such dead stumps and infected tissues may act as a base for further infection. In forests and woodlands, it has been suggested that the presence of other fungi diminish or restrain the pathogenicity (killing power) of the honey fungus, though in gardens it may spread unchecked from one tree or shrub to another. Read more...