In article ,
Sacha writes:
|
| Perennials and grasses aren't likely to be bothered. It's shrubby, woody
| things that it attacks and then only if they're weak or damaged. Some
| things, like lilacs are more susceptible than others, apparently.

It can kill perennials, grasses and young, healthy plants - it's just
less likely to. The same is true of dry rot, incidentally!

Most general recommendations are to replant with less susceptible
species, to expect a few deaths and otherwise not worry. The RHS
is not alone in saying that.

| I really wouldn't panic about it but if you read the following it might help
| you worry a bit less:
| http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...ney_fungus.asp

Yes. There's one major error on that page, though:

"... the white growth below the bark, as described above, is the most
diagnostic feature of a honey fungus attack."

Stuff and nonsense! White mycelium below the bark smelling quite strongly
of mushrooms can be due to a vast variety of saprophytic and pathogenic
fungi, and is NOT diagnostic of anything useful (except fungal presence).
The only reliable diagnostic features are the bootlaces and the fruiting
body.

As the behaviour and treatment of all such fungi is similar, there is no
critical need to identify the precise fungus concerned. Honey fungus is
merely the most lethal of the common ones in the UK. So the RHS advice
remains good, even if the fungus is misidentified - which is good news!


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.