Last week we reported a branch failure in the Nothofagus betuloides in the Secret Garden: https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/28644

The decision was made to remove this tree and a Nothofagus solandri due to the extent of the decay caused by fungi Ganoderma and an increased risk of failure. The tree has been growing in the Garden for 62 years and the Ganoderma fruiting body was first observed in 2007. I believe it to be either Ganoderma applanatum or australae  but identification based on morphological characteristics alone can be unreliable and we treat the significance of Ganoderma applanatum and G.australae decay as the same. Research does highlight differences in decay strategies but is not extensive enough to inform different management decisions for the decay caused by the two species and we recognise that the species of tree will also greatly influence the rate of decay.

The image bellow shows the extent of decay that was revealed once the tree was cut down. This will hopefully be of interest to others who find Ganoderma fungi fruiting bodies growing from  Nothofagus betuloides. It is interesting to see how where the fruiting bodies emerge from the trunk is connected to the decayed wood, the mycelium of the fungi has clearly colonised and killed live tissue.

It is important to note that many factors will influence the rate of decay including the genetics of the fungi and the tree species, tree health and, climate.

Decay caused by Ganoderma on Nothofagus betuloides

Thanks for the photo Keith!

Farmers in Chile have an interesting use for Nothofagus wood that has been decayed by Ganoderma, it is fed to cattle. The lignin-free residue is easily digested with further help from micro-organisms found in the cattle’s guts. This wood is called Palo podrido