Perenniporia fraxinea on beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Along one of the paths in Epping Forest sat a large and very mature Fagus sylvatica, and at its base was a good-sized Perenniporia fraxinea sporophore. Around the region colonised we can identify some serious buttressing. This may likely be due to the fact that the penetrable soil depth is no greater than 60cm in places, though the presence of this white-rotting fungus may also very likely be inducing some reaction growth. It’s the first time I have come across this fungus on beech, so I thought I’d share the below photos.

Here sits the sporophore, between two root buttresses.

A side profile shot reveals its prominence.

Panning back, we can see exactly how significant the buttressing is in this region. Evidently, it is more extensive than in the regions away from the area where the sporophore is emanating from.