MARCHER APPLE NETWORK
RHWYDWAITH AFALAU'R GORORAU

A FUNGUS TO LOOK OUT FOR AND CHERISH

The Government recently announced additions to its biodiversity action plan list of species. Amongst them was the apple tooth fungus Sarcodontia crocea. Something for MAN to get its teeth into I thought but as I knew nothing about it, was unsure as to what we could do. Out of the blue I was contacted by Judy Webb who had recently found the apple tooth fungus in an old orchard in Oxfordshire. She was able to tells me it forms golden yellow encrusting patches or lumps with mini stalactites or downward pointing 'teeth' on cut rotting branch ends or inside a rot hole - usually at head height and usually on trees in sun. To begin with it smells of pineapple, later smelling strongly of rotting fruit. It is extremely rare (only 14 recent records from Britain) and is only found on apple. The fruit bodies can be found between June - Sept. If a fungus looks like this but is on other trees, or at other times, it is not this fungus!

As it only feeds on the dead heartwood of the tree it is not a threat to the tree. Hollow apple trees live perfectly well and withstand gales as well or better than solid trees. So look out for it and its unusual smell. Please preserve and cherish any tree with it and please let us know if you think you have found it so we can check and confirm its identity.

Ray Woods