On Dec 31 2011, 12:21*pm, deb13b
wrote:
My mum has an old plum tree in her garden, probably 20 years or more
old. It has always produced loads of fruit until a so-called tree
surgeon hacked it back early this year. It's been pretty grim looking
since then. Today she noticed the trunk and branches are covered in
mushrooms. ( Pic is below. ) It has been several days since she was near
the tree so she's not sure how long they have been there.

I've been googling but the only similar thing I found was mushrooms
growing round the base of the trunk, not all over. Will this tree have
to be cut down ? Or is there something to treat it with ? Mums also
worried it will spread to her other fruit trees.

I would greatly appreciate some help on this !

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deb13b

It looks like a form of the Ganoderma. AKA: shelf fungi, but don't
trust an out of focus internet guess, do verify. Many of the Fungi
folks and Myco Associations will be happy to assist. Most likely one
in your area that would be familiar with these. Recommend you get a
better pic, also put something of a know scale... a coin, a ruler
etc., in the pic for reference and shoot the underside also. take a
step back with your camera or use another that will allow a micro
view--- your too close for your lens.

If correct, It does produce a white rot condition and is one of
natures's best decomposters, so most likely it is the beginning of
the end of the tree. there are no cultural or chemical controls for
preventing or for curing the the pathogen. But it can go on for
years.

Life Cycle of Ganoderma Fungi
"Different Ganoderma species have different behavioral habits. Some
feed harmlessly on dead matter, while others classified as "wound
pathogens" invade and kill the sapwood of living trees. Ganoderma
fungi reproduce by airborne spores. They can also spread from infected
roots to healthy ones during the process of root grafting. Upon
infecting main or lateral roots, Ganoderma species develop a mycelium,
which builds into a whitish mat under the bark. This mat later turns
brown. The mycelium then moves up the crown roots to the trunk to
develop the ribbon-like structures called "rhizomorphs." From the
rhizomorphs finally come the characteristic semicircular "conks" or
fan-shaped brackets at or near the base of the tree. These are the
fruiting bodies, which release millions of spores over the next five
to six months."

Read mo Treatment For Ganoderma Root Rot | Garden Guides
http://www.gardenguides.com/106945-t...#ixzz1iK6zyJOM