5 Facts about Fungus and Trees

Definition of fungus:

any of a group of unicellular, multicellular, or syncytial spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter. These include moulds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.

They are not plants, they are not animals. Fungi are something else altogether.

Fungi feed on other organisms.

They decompose trees and recycle their matter back into the soil.

For a lot of people a discussing fungus is like taking about what lies at the bottom sea. They just don't know.

 When we consider trees, fungus is a big issue. This is the kind of stuff arborists sit around and think about. 

To understand the way that trees and fungi interact is to understand how trees live and die.

  The world of fungus is fascinating, beautiful and under appreciated.

 

5 Facts about the relationship between

Fungus and trees

1. Fungi are neither good, nor bad. They just are.
2. Fungi are everywhere.
3. Fungi enter trees through wounds to bark and roots.
4. Trees act to prevent decline caused by fungus.
5. The process of fungal decay can take a very long time.

1. Fungi are neither good nor bad. They just are.

• The process of fungal decay is the essence of the life and death cycle of trees. This is the heart of the forest ecosystem. Countless species rely on decaying plant material. These species in turn are essential to the next layer of beings. Fungi cause decay of trees. Fungi help trees receive nutrition from the soil. They rely on each other for life and death. 

2. Fungi are everywhere.

• At least everywhere that other living things are. Fungi are in the soil. Their spores are in the air. They are the decomposers of dead matter.

3. Fungi enter trees through wounds to bark and roots.

• Fungi don't go through intact bark. They enter through a wound. A wound as small as a broken twig. Or perhaps a tree climbers' spur puncture. In general, fewer, smaller, cleaner wounds mean less fungal decay.

4. Trees fight to prevent fungus.

• The process of fightback that trees employ is called Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees. The acronym CODIT was coined by Dr. Alex Shigo. I strongly recommend further study of the man and his work.  Dr. Shigo taught that trees respond to decay by creating a series of walls. The tree acts to isolated the infected area to prevent the fungus from taking over.

5. The process of fungal decay can take a long time.

• The discovery of a mushroom on a tree does not mean that the tree needs to be condemned. Trees coexist with fungi over a course of time that is beyond human understanding. Every situation is unique. Different species of trees react with different species of fungi. Each are adapted to their unique situation of place, time and purpose.
• In urban settings, where valuable targets exist, decaying trees should be monitored often. The public like to avoid decayed tree related damages whenever possible. The public are funny that way.

 The importance of understanding the fungus and tree relationship

This is what arboricultural is all about. This is the reason why correct tree care performed under the guidance of an arborist is so importants. When trees are damaged they get inhabited by decay causing fungi. Types of damage that enable fungal entry can be both natural and man caused.

Storm damage

Branch drop

Insect and animal wounds

Pruning

Topping

Root excavation

Root compaction

Bark peel

 

 The more that a tree is damaged, the more decay causing fungus it will get.

 

The sooner the tree will die.

 Consult an arborist to discuss how to best manage the cycle of life and death of your trees. Help prevent unnecessary damage to trees.