In the Summer of 2020, as part of an ongoing project trees were being re-inspected at a large property in Fife by Adam Reidi. One in particular, a mature Beech tree, was of great interest. While it didn't pose a great risk to the owner, the public or any property, it had the potential to cause significant damage to surrounding specimen trees. It is also in itself an important tree in terms of landscape value.
It has over ten years recorded colonisation with Ganoderma, a wood decay fungi which affects the stem wood, and Meripilus, which affects the roots. Upon initial discovery it was reduced in size significantly to reduce its chances of failure. If we think of the tree as a lever, by shortening it the effects of wind pushing on this lever are significantly reduced, and so it is mechanically more stable. It responded extremely well to this initial pruning, and put out significant new growth. After about ten years it had reached a height and size that was felt to be of risk once again. The decision was made to carry out further significant reduction pruning, with the retention of the tree being a primary goal.
The picture you see above is from this spring, with the tree back in leaf and good initial responses to last years pruning. Where possible and practical we incorporated coronet cuts and other features for bats and other wildlife in what would become standing timber. This is a good example of how tree condition and the ability to retain them is extremely variable on location; were this tree in a higher target area, beside a house or road for example, then an entirely different approach would probably have been necessary. The presence of decay fungi in itself does not necessarily mean the tree must be removed.
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