What is Honey Fungus and How Does it Affect Trees?

What is Honey Fungus and How Does it Affect Trees?

If you’ve noticed a cluster of honey coloured toadstools or white fungal growth between loose bark and wood of your tree, it might be a case of honey fungus infection.. It is important that trees infected by honey fungus are properly assessed, to ensure they are not in dangerous condition and to prevent spread of the disease where possible.  Check this article for the signs and symptoms of honey fungus. If you notice any — don’t panic. Just call Artemis Tree Services for help.

What is honey fungus?

Honey fungus is a common name given to various species of fungus that attack the roots of many woody and perennial plants. Honey fungus includes about ten species and may also be referred to by its scientific classification ‘Armillaria’.

Honey fungus tends to grow in small dense clusters and may manifest as honey-coloured mushrooms and/or a white fungus, both of which would typically be found at the base of the tree.

Many tree and woody shrub species can be at risk of honey fungus infection, including apple, beech, birch, hydrangea, magnolia, pear and privet..

Honey fungus is not always easy to spot because it attacks the tree from underground. Though it’s also prevalent in the wild, honey fungus tends to be more destructive in managed gardens due to a lack of competing fungi interfering with its attack. 

How is a tree affected by honey fungus?

Honey fungus generally attacks the tree below the ground but will eventually cause problems above ground, too.

Symptoms of honey fungus below ground include:

  • Dead or decaying roots
  • Rhizomorphs — a threadlike or cordlike structure — which absorb nutrients from the tree

Symptoms of honey fungus from above ground include:

  • Dead upper parts of the plant
  • Unusually small and pale leaves
  • Failure to flower or unusually heavy flowering
  • Premature autumn colour
  • Cracking or bleeding bark

Remember — a white fungus or the sudden growth of a honey-coloured mushroom at the base of the tree is usually an indicator of a honey fungus infection, and usually with the tree or shrub looking in poor health.

How is honey fungus treated?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment available for honey fungus. Often the best course of action is to excavate and destroy all of the infected root and stump material. This may be achieved via burning or landfill. Excavation and destruction of the infected areas can be dangerous if not carried out by a professional. You should always contact a professional tree surgeon if you suspect honey fungus on any of your trees.

What about other tree fungi?

If fungus is growing from or close to your tree but doesn’t look like honey fungus, it is best to have this checked by a professional. Wood decay fungi can grow in many forms, such as toadstools growing at the base of trees or large fungal brackets growing directly from the trunk or branches. 

A tree may look healthy from the outside, but decayed or hollow inside the trunk or below ground. In some cases it may be necessary to assess the extent of internal decay using specialist decay detection equipment.

At Artemis Tree Services, we use the latest Resistograph Microdrill (IML Resi-PD400) to accurately detect small changes of internal wood structure. The versatility of this equipment allows us to assess the trunk and large structural roots, as well as higher up parts of the tree as part of an aerial inspection. In some cases, an air spade will be used to expose and assess the condition of major roots.

 

Artemis Tree Services are award-winning tree surgeons serving domestic and commercial clients across North London, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Among our extensive range of services is tree decay detection, where we use cutting-edge equipment to identify various types of tree decay. If you suspect there is an issue with your tree, our team will accurately identify the problem and use safe, efficient and effective methods to remedy it.

Don’t let decay destroy your trees. Contact Artemis Tree Services today for swift, professional help.

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Enthusiastic of Eastcote

My wife and I were pleased to welcome Charlie and Ben, to tackle our overgrown Laurel. They telephoned ahead to advise their time of arrival and, once on site, got down to work in a professional and i... My wife and I were pleased to welcome Charlie and Ben, to tackle our overgrown Laurel. They telephoned ahead to advise their time of arrival and, once on site, got down to work in a professional and industrious manner. These young men were friendly and helpful, completing the job to our exact requirements, and tidying up thoroughly afterwards. In addition, they approached their work in full compliance with health and safety regulations. All in all, they were splendid ambassadors for their company!

4 days ago

Mrs S. Beattie

This is the 3rd time I have used this Company. All the staff are professional, friendly and helpful offering high quality service from the moment you contact them to completion of the job and the pri... This is the 3rd time I have used this Company. All the staff are professional, friendly and helpful offering high quality service from the moment you contact them to completion of the job and the price is fair. I wouldn't use anyone else.

5 days ago

Anonymous

We have used Artemis for tree and hedge works several times and would thoroughly recommend them. They give an all round professional service; communication is great, quotes detailed and work fairly pr... We have used Artemis for tree and hedge works several times and would thoroughly recommend them. They give an all round professional service; communication is great, quotes detailed and work fairly priced. If you are looking for trustworthy and reliable tree services look no further!

1 week ago

Derek Welch, Chalfont St Peter

Very professional, work hard, friendly and cooperative. Very highly recommended - they know what they are doing!...

1 week ago

Peter

Always friendly helpful staff, very knowledgable, prune/trim trees very well leaving a good shape and tidy up afterwards....

1 month ago

M Pearce

Polite, efficient, helpful - highly reccomended...

2 months ago

Brian (Pinner)

Artemis recently did some work for us and we were very impressed both with the quality of the work and the communication and value for money. I would recommend them.... Artemis recently did some work for us and we were very impressed both with the quality of the work and the communication and value for money. I would recommend them.

2 months ago

Michelle Hyer

Excellent service, tidy, efficient, on-time and someone at the end of the phone for queries! I would highly recemmend x...

3 months ago

Barbara M Grant, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Artemis Tree Services Limited is a professional tree surgeon and is highly recommended. The marketplace is peppered with charlatans purporting to be qualified in this specialist area but Artemis con... Artemis Tree Services Limited is a professional tree surgeon and is highly recommended. The marketplace is peppered with charlatans purporting to be qualified in this specialist area but Artemis continues to uphold and deliver the professional status of this important skill. They offer a a high quality service from the very first contact through to delivery of a clean and crafted conclusion. I have no hesitation in recommending their outstanding service. Many thanks to all involved.

3 months ago

Blake Lewis

The contractors that came to prune my tree were very efficient, polite and effective and I would have no hesitation in recommending Artemis to anyone.... The contractors that came to prune my tree were very efficient, polite and effective and I would have no hesitation in recommending Artemis to anyone.

4 months ago

Jo

Just to say thank you for carrying out the work so professionally. The team were efficient, they took great care to ensure nothing got damaged, they were very friendly and informative and left the ar... Just to say thank you for carrying out the work so professionally. The team were efficient, they took great care to ensure nothing got damaged, they were very friendly and informative and left the area tidy. Work carried out: Removal of deadwood

6 months ago

Savas Sivetidis

Good service all round, polite and efficient....

6 months ago

Declan McManus

Efficient, tidy and courteous service - I have used Artemis on a number of occasions and cannot think of any reason to change....

8 months ago

Gaby

Excellent service with polite considerate operators...

8 months ago

Anonymous

very professional, knowledgeable company. where able to provide advice and options as to needed to be done. Clean, tidy and polite...

8 months ago

John

Very professional We have used them a few times and would not go anywhere else...

8 months ago

Francis Emmanuel

This was the second time we used the services of Artemis Tree Services. This time it was to fell and remove a mature sycamore. The team were excellent throughout - from initial enquiries, advice with ... This was the second time we used the services of Artemis Tree Services. This time it was to fell and remove a mature sycamore. The team were excellent throughout - from initial enquiries, advice with what was suitable, scheduling of the work, the tree work itself, the disposal of the felled tree and invoicing. Very pleasant, smart, tidy and courteous.

8 months ago

Pools Sritharan

Excellent service from the initial contact to completion. Professional ans polite at all times. Many thanks for this wonderful experience. Regards Pools Sritharan 18, The Avenue, Potters Bar.... Excellent service from the initial contact to completion. Professional ans polite at all times. Many thanks for this wonderful experience. Regards Pools Sritharan 18, The Avenue, Potters Bar.

9 months ago

Wendy Fry

Very pleased with work done to prune large sycamore tree. Detailed quote provided same day as Billy came to inspect and advise. All work was done promptly, safely with no mess whatsoever. Would defini... Very pleased with work done to prune large sycamore tree. Detailed quote provided same day as Billy came to inspect and advise. All work was done promptly, safely with no mess whatsoever. Would definitely recommend this firm. Very professional from start to finish.

9 months ago

Chris Pooley

If you require any tree work done I can certainly recommend Artemis. The estimator Billy was great to deal with professional and gave great advice. We required a Laurel and Holly tree to be reduced i... If you require any tree work done I can certainly recommend Artemis. The estimator Billy was great to deal with professional and gave great advice. We required a Laurel and Holly tree to be reduced in height and shaped and several leylandia trees at the back of the garden to be reduced in height and tidied up.A detailed quote was provided within 24 hours. On the day of the scheduled work the crew arrived on time and Tom and Charlie did a fantastic job very courteous and making sure everything was left nice and tidy. I would have no hesitation in contacting them for any future work required this is an extremely well run business.

9 months ago

Wendy Farrell

Great service from the get go. Surveyor was brilliant and took his time advising me on the best value for money for the job. The two guys in the day were fab! Not a leaf was left for me to tidy up. K... Great service from the get go. Surveyor was brilliant and took his time advising me on the best value for money for the job. The two guys in the day were fab! Not a leaf was left for me to tidy up. Kirstie Harvey in the office is a legend! Cannot recommend this company highly enough.

9 months ago