Honey Fungus – The Root of all Evil?
Introduction
Some species of Honey Fungus are parasitic and can cause considerable damage to coniferous forestry plantations and gardens alike. However, most species are saprophytic and only degrade dead or dying woody material. It is essential to identify the species of Honey Fungus present before embarking on any course of remedial action.
Common Name: Honey Fungus or Bootlace Fungus
Botanical Name: Armillaria species (meli is ancient Greek meaning honey)
Diagnosis and Symptoms:
- A tree has suddenly died or has died after a period of increasing ill health.
- The crown of a tree shows a general and increasing deterioration over a period of time.
- A tree has blown over to reveal a decayed root system.
- Gum, resin or a waterey liquid may exude from the tree stem.
- Brown or honey coloured toadstools (Figure 1) appear in clumps, in autumn, typically on or near the stem base.
- The bark at the base of the stem is dead. Underneath the bark is a sheet of white or cream coloured fungal tissue which later turns black (Figure 2)
Figure 1 Honey Fungus Toadstools Figure 2 Rhizomorphs or Bootlaces
Significance
Honey fungus kills the roots of the host plant. It then degrades the root system and the lower stem leaving the tree potentially unstable and liable to fail.
How it Spreads
The fungus spreads from infected plants by direct contact with the roots of neighbouring plants. It also spreads through the soil by means of the bootlace or rhizomorph structures.
Control – cultural
Maintain a healthy plant stock – trees and shrubs under stress are more susceptible to infection.
Dig out and dispose of all infected plants with all of their root system, if possible.
It may be possible in some situations to protect trees and shrubs with a sunken barrier.
Control – chemical
The consensus of opinion (the RHS, The Forestry Commission and others) is that there is no effective chemical control although specific soil fumigants may kill the fungus in the stumps of small trees.
Geographical Distribution in the UK and Ability to Cause Disease
A saprophyte: an organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that obtains food from dead or decaying organic matter. Encarta Dictionary
A parasite: a plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger, host organism in a way that harms or is of no advantage to the host. Encarta Dictionary
Pathogenicity: from pathogenic meaning causing disease, or able to cause disease. Encarta Dictionary
Species | Distribution | Habitat | Pathogenicity |
A. borealis | Not reported in England, rare in Scotland. | Saprophytic only. Mainly recorded on birch in Scotland. | Weak parasite on birch and wild cherry. |
A. cepistipes | Rare in England, common in Scotland. | Saprophytic only. | Relatively benign. |
A. gallica | A common low altitude species. | Usually on soil near hardwoods. | Relatively benign. Weak or secondary parasite of hardwoods. |
A. mellea | Common especially in SE England. | Usually with hardwoods, ornamental and orchard trees. | Aggressive parasite of deciduous trees. |
A. ostoyae | Common throughout the UK. | Mostly restricted to conifers. | Serious parasite of conifers. |
A. tabescens | Only reported in SE England. | Mostly saprophytic with oak stumps. | Reported to be aggressive towards Eucalyptus species. |
The above table is based on: Honey Fungus - Friend or Foe? By Paul F Hamlyn
Susceptible and More Resistant Tree and Shrub Species
Susceptible Trees and Shrubs include; | More Resistant Trees and Shrubs include; |
Azaleas | Ash |
Apples – all species | Black walnut |
Apricots | Box |
Birch | Beech |
Cedars | Fothergilla |
Cherries | Holly |
Cotoneaster | Judas Tree |
Forsythia | Juniper |
Hydrangea | Larch - all species |
Leyland cypress | London Plane |
Lilac | Oak – all species |
Peaches | Pittosporum |
Plums | Plumbago |
Privet | Smoke Bush |
Rhododendrons | Spruce |
Viburnum | Sumach |
Willows | Tamarisk |
Wisteria | Yew |
Based on: Gardening Advice: Honey Fungus from the RHS and Diagnosis of Ill Health in Trees published by The Forestry Commission. Summary
All too frequently Honey Fungus is found and identified as the primary cause of a tree or shrub failing in the garden. In many cases however, Honey Fungus is a secondary cause colonizing an already stressed or weakened tree. In short, Honey Fungus can and does cause extensive damage in the garden but it is not ‘the root of all evil’.
References: http://fungus.org.uk
Diagnosis of ill-health in trees by RG Strouts and TG Winter published
by The Forestry Commission
Don’t Worry (too much) Honey? TDA No.105 published by The Tree Advice Trust