Sunday, November 16, 2008

Garden Bloggers Fungus Day

Is this fungus beautiful enough, I wondered, to feature for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day (run by Carol at her outstanding blog May Dreams Gardens)? I don’t have much else going on at the moment that could be considered a “bloom.” But maybe I should be less worried about my Bloom Day post, and more worried about my tree.

An internet search turned up this info from Lovetoknow about what I fear is Bracket Fungi.

“Bracket fungi grow on many different kinds of trees. Some, like Ganoderma and Fomes species, and be found on many species of host trees, while others prefer a specific host. Meripilus giganteus is found on beech trees, and Inonotus hispidus is found on ash trees. Bracket fungi live on dead wood, so if trees in your garden are hosting them, have the trees inspected by a knowledgeable arborists. Their presence may indicate that the tree is injured or diseased. Spores from bracket fungi cannot penetrate healthy bark, but they will settle and grow where the bark is wounded. “

Shoot. I think I need a knowlegable arborist.

But if you are a garden blogger looking for a flowers (or anyone else who likes to look at pretty things), here are pictures of this tree, a Japanese Flowering Cherry, or prunus serrulatas,in the spring. Now you know why I want to save it.


11 comments:

tina said...

Oh my! I hope the arborist gives you good news.

Mayberry said...

We had one of those trees in our front yard growing up -- a weeping one, is yours? It was STUNNING. (And unfortunately, it did die right around the time we moved away from the house.)

Joanne said...

What a gorgeous tree, I can feel spring just looking at those pics. Too bad about the autumn blooms on it, hope it can be saved.

Carol Michel said...

Fungus day sounds oddly fun. Maybe it should be a spring event or something. I would call the cooperative extension to see if they have someone who can help determine if the fungus is a problem or just some fungus, before calling arborist (who may want to charge you just to look). That tree is beautiful in bloom and definitely worth saving!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens.

Anonymous said...

I love that species of cherry too. Our local mall has a parking lot full of them--they are the most beautiful flowering trees. I have a Yoshino. I had an Okame but it bloomed in February and the cold kept aggravating it. I left it at my former home.

That fungus sounds revealing. Keep us posted on what the treatment is if any.

JGH said...

Tina, I may try a few things before calling him in. An early pruning, maybe?

Mayberry, mine is not weeping. But I'll bet it's pouting right now.

Joanne, I'll post some more photos in the spring so you can feel it again!

Carol, it's nice of you to stop by even though I didn't officially participate. A Fungus Day would be unique! Hopefully I'll be rid of it by spring, but I'm sure more will grow somewhere else. Great idea to call the extension -- I wonder if I can email them the photos?!

Anna, I didn't realize there were so many varieties. I should probably doublecheck and make sure I have the right one. I bet that mall is a sight in the springtime.

Squirrel said...

Your tree is amazing hope it gets the cure or something

i usually go to the Brooklyn Bot. Garden to see the trees in spring.

Anonymous said...

Oh man, I hope your tree is not in danger! We had one very (just?) like it in our previous garden, with the amazing double flowers. When they come down, it's like pink snow! Hope an arborist can help you out before it's too late.

spookydragonfly said...

What a gorgeous tree! I can see why you'd want to save it! I'm jealous...also see an adorable child with a view of the world!

spookydragonfly said...

OOOPS...SORRY! After viewing your photo again, I see TWO adorable children!!

JGH said...

Squirrel - the BBG is spectacular in early May, isn't it? I don't know anywhere else around here that has a collection of trees like that!

Karen, we do a fair amount of limb-shaking when it's time for the petals to fall. A pink spring snowstorm...

Ha, ha Spooky! - I wondered if anyone would even notice that other little head in the branches. Very observant of you.