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Wednesday 30 May 2012

Laetiporus sulphureus Sulphur Polypore

Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore, came across this and thought I'd get a couple of shots because its not like the usual shots I get of this great looking polypore.  

It's larger and flatter than usual, meaning it is older.  This was found on a dead log that had fallen at least 5 years ago.



Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore Streatham Common
Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore Streatham Common

Monday 28 May 2012

Sulphur Polypore On Purple Plum

Sulphur Polypore On Purple Plum caused a stem on this Purple Plum to fail.  The remainder of the tree will have to be felled.

I love pictures of this bracket, they always look so rich and velvety.

Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Purple Plum
Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Purple Plum

Thursday 24 May 2012

Monochamini Larvae - Wood Borer Larvae

A few pictures of what I think is Monochamini Larvae - Wood Borer Larvae.  This came from the dead wood of Plane tree.  Again I came across this when splitting wood.
Larvae Poking Through Hole
Larvae Poking Through Hole

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Betula - Birch


Buds and young shoots Branches Leaves Roots and root collar Trunk
Betula - Birch Bark Of Mature Tree
Betula - Birch Bark Of Mature Tree

Birches - 60 species that hybridize freely, light airy crowns and bright bark that peels.  Male catkins are visible through winter months.  Slender shoots and sticky buds


Family:Betulaceae
  • Bark:Smooth white with black thin diamond shaped arrows getting wider and rugged with age
  • Buds: Curved, Pointed, Brownish black
  • Fruit: Cylindrical Catkins
  • Leaves: Alternate, Simple
  • Habit: Pendulous/Weeping 
  • Height: Varies 12 meters - 20 meters. Occasionally higher
Things to look for: 

  • Colour of bark? How rugged?
  • Are shoots Downy?
  • Are leaves... dark/glossy?Doubly or regularly toothed?Alternate? Simple?
  • Are catkins present?
  • Are leaf veins present? Are they parallel? How close?

Betula - Birch Leaves
Betula - Birch Leaves
Betula - Birch Bark Of Young Tree
Betula - Birch Bark Of Young Tree 


A lovely species that has a variety available which can be chosen for most spaces.  Striking bark that gives year round interest makes this species a great choice.

There are European Birch, American Birch and Asiatic Birch.  Subtle differences exist between each, such as texture, color, form, leaf color, shape of leaf and catkins.  All add to the variety of beauty a Betula - Birch brings.

Approximately sixty species of Birch are in existence around the temperate regions of the world the largest numbers are to be found in Asia and the United states, a pioneer species .

Planting Betula - Birch can be quite difficult due to the sheer variety involved.  To break that down you need to forget about the qualities that make this species pleasing to the eye.  Its a simple case of requirements once the site requirements are understood, narrowing down the Betula - Birch you want will be made simpler.
  • Space requirements vertically and horizontally
  • Distance to property and underground utilities
  • Soil type and drainage
  • Amount of light or shade required for you and the tree
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Betula - Birch Bark
Betula - Birch Bark
Betula - Birch Leaves Underside
Betula - Birch Leaves Underside
Betula - Birch Leaves And New Growth
Betula - Birch Leaves And New Growth




  • Leaves
  • necrosis, complete shriveling of foliage, Deformation, rolling of leaf blades, spots and felting, leaf blade holed or eaten, colonies of green insects on the leaves, leaf blade partially stripped and rolled forming a dry tube, mined leaves, color change
  • click to see list of causal agents




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Thursday 17 May 2012

Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Robinia

Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Robinia
Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Robinia some photos taken the other day, I have seen this fungus on this particular tree for a couple of seasons now.  Love the close up shots, especially the larger bracket that is around 8m up.  The two smaller brackets are near the base of the trunk.

That's all thanks to my Xacti.










Monday 14 May 2012

Oak Processionary Moth - Thaumetopoea processionea


The Oak Processionary Moth causes a nuisance where ever it is.


Oak Processionary Moth larvae from Google Images
Oak Processionary Moth larvae from Google Images 
Are you ready for the hairy little blighters?

If you have an Oak tree in your garden or have a favorite tree in a local park or green space, it could be at risk from this invasive species.

Millions are spent each year in an effort to lessen the risk........


Wednesday 9 May 2012

Fungus Brackets




Various shots of a couple of fungus brackets that I took the other day.

Some are taken of dead wood that's been lying in place for some time.  The last three are from a dead standing Sorbus.











Tuesday 8 May 2012

Split Wood At Branch Attachment Showing Decay

Love these photos and images of the inside of wood.  It always surprises me how symmetrical the two halves of split wood can be.  Its never deliberate to "get the wood" to split this way but it must say something about weak points in the wood for it to keep happening.  And my splitting maul.....

Sunday 6 May 2012

Elms In Lambeth

Ulmus Glabra - English Elm
Ulmus minor - English Elm
A few pictures of the Elm trees I know in and around Lambeth, coming soon



Ulmus glabra - Wych Elm
Ulmus glabra - Wych Elm


Wednesday 2 May 2012

Quercus - Oak Tree Brockwell Park

Quercus robur - Oak Tree Brockwell Park
Quercus robur - Oak Tree Brockwell Park

This has to be one of the oldest trees in Lambeth, a fantastic tree with huge stems on an even bigger trunk.  Definitely worth a look
Quercus robur - Oak Tree Brockwell Park
Quercus robur - Oak Tree Brockwell Park Looking Up Stem

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Tilia - Lime

  • Bark: Smooth gray 
  • Buds: shiny, sharp pointed with sticky gum
  • Fruit: Nuts husk covered with bristles
  • Leaves: Opposite, Palmate

Acer - Maple


Buds and young shoots Branches Leaves Roots and root collar Trunk
Betula - Birch Bark Of Mature Tree
Maple pics will be here soon

Maples - 150 species with leaves in opposite pairs that typically have five lobes, variations occur with leaves of three and seven lobes.


Family:Aceraceae
  • Bark: Dark grey, brown to black sometimes reddish when young maturing it becomes ridged or furrowed
  • Buds: Varies across species - Terminal, imbricate, glaucous
  • Fruit: Samara, wings
  • Flowers: mostly yellowish green corymbs
  • Leaves: Opposite, lobed
  • Habit: Rounded, spreading
  • Height:small to 30+metres
Things to look for: 

  • Bark - What is it like?
  • What shape is the crown?
  • Are leaves... Shape?Hairy or glaucous underneath? How many lobes?
  • Shoots - What color are they? 
  • Buds - What color are they?

Betula - Birch Leaves
Betula - Birch Leaves
Betula - Birch Bark Of Young Tree
Betula - Birch Bark Of Young Tree 


A fantastic species no matter the size and variety, great branch structure makes the Acer - Maple architecturally pleasing to the eye.

Various types of lobed leaves with numerous colours add interest where ever they are  .

Approximately one hundred and fifty species of Acer - Maple are in existence around the temperate regions of the world Canada, Europe, Asia, N Africa, United States.

Planting Acer - Maple can be quite difficult due to the sheer variety involved.  To break that down you need to forget about the qualities that make this species pleasing to the eye.  Its a simple case of requirements once the site requirements are understood, narrowing down the Acer - Maple you want will be made simpler.
  • Space requirements vertically and horizontally
  • Distance to property and underground utilities
  • Soil type and drainage
  • Amount of light or shade required for you and the tree
Back to top

Betula - Birch Bark
Betula - Birch Bark
Betula - Birch Leaves Underside
Betula - Birch Leaves Underside
Betula - Birch Leaves And New Growth
Betula - Birch Leaves And New Growth




  • Leaves
  • necrosis, complete shriveling of foliage, Deformation, Browning around edges, leaf spots, deformation, Insects on underside of leaves, small galls purse shaped reddish color, Defoliation, color change
  • click to see list of causal agents




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Quercus - Oak

Quercus robur - English Oak


  • Bark: Deep Knobbly Ridges, Grayish Black
  • Buds: Chestnut To Reddish Brown, plump, scales
  • Fruit: Acorn
  • Leaves: Alternate, Simple