Fungi (maybe) effect on lying Birch

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Amadan
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Joined: Thu May 21, 2015 10:08 am
Location: Sawtry, Cambs

Fungi (maybe) effect on lying Birch

Post by Amadan » Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:10 pm

Birch_HF2.jpg
We were clearing fallen birch trees in an area the is intended to be mown for bracken control. This one was maybe 10m long, and had become partly embedded in the peat, having probably lain some 2-3 years after falling. To avoid damaging the chainsaw, we were shredding it with a mattock.
Inside, large areas of the wood had turned into a yellow, sticky gel (the pale areas in these phone camera shots taken by one of the site staff).
I'm assuming this is due to enzymes secreted by fungal mycelia. But am I right? And if so, is it at all possible to be more specific? No fruiting bodies were found, but both Birch Bracket and Hoof Fungus are common on the site. There are also quite a few Ganodermas.
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