Fungi On Trees

These are certain signs of decay or the bad condition of a tree.

Some affect only one tree, others extend to several species. A most destructive enemy of the Oak is Poly porus sulphureus; less so P. quercinus, while the well known dry rot is traceable to Merulius lacrymanus. The Beech has several pests, including Polyporus cuticularis, Fistulina hepatica, and the curious and handsome Hydnum coralloides, which is fairly plentiful in our larger centres of industry.

The London Elms

The London Elms are attacked by Polyporus squamosus, which is scaly above and of a stiff leathery consistency. The Willow and Poplar suffer from Polyporus igniarius, as also the common Plum; while Polyporus hispid us affects the Ash. Two other beautiful fungi grow on the Ash, viz.: -Lentinus tigrinus and L. Dunalii.

The curious Jew's ear (Hurneola auricula-Judae)

The curious Jew's ear (Hurneola auricula-Judae) is fairly common on the Elder and perhaps more so on the Elm, all over London. The Lime is fairly free from attack, although Polyporus vegetus sometimes afflicts it.

Collecting and burning all diseased parts, whether whole trees, branches or bark, is the only means of keeping both insect and fungoid pests in bounds.

Supporting Heavy And Diseased Branches

The lifetime of many old trees in our towns and cities has been greatly extended, and their natural beauty retained, by the supporting of heavy and diseased limbs with judiciously arranged iron bands and connecting rods. This is particularly the case with old specimen Elms, Mulberries, and the Catalpa, the heavy branches and brittle timber of which is apt to become diseased and hollow and readily wrenched from the main trunk during stormy weather. To obviate this is a simple matter by carefully joining such branches as are likely to fall away either to one another, if on opposite sides of the tree, or to the main stem by means of chains or bands and light connecting rods. Chains, though often used, are for various reasons to be avoided, the flat iron band lined with leather being far preferable and much less likely to cut into the bark and wood. The bands are usually made 2 1/2 in. wide and of the particular shape of the branch to be encircled, each being in two parts, which are joined together by nuts and bolts. This not only allows the band, which is made of much larger circumference than the branch so as to allow of the insertion of a leather collar between it and the wood, to be readily placed in position, but to be slackened at any future time should necessity so demand. The bands, whether around two opposite branches or the trunk and a branch, are then connected by a light iron rod and fastened to the bands at the points where the bolts and nuts are placed. The connecting rod, which is divided into two parts and joined together by a swivel and screw for convenience in tightening, is usually made of round iron about 1/2 in. in diameter. It is usually simple enough to join a branch to the main trunk, but in the case of connecting up two branches so that one may act as a support to the other, the greatest care and good judgment will be required.