Persistent chicken of the woods

Normally, once the fruiting bodies of the fungus Laetiporus sulphureus become inactive, they fall from the tree. Of course, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, and this case of the fungus being found upon a dead strip of oak (Quercus robur) details exactly that – partially. Most probably from last year’s growing season, I am actually quite surprised they’re still upon the tree, given the oak stem is rather exposed. Granted, one part has fallen to the ground, though the main portion of the fungus’ sporophore population remains upon the tree.

Interestingly, and something I have noted with this fungus, is its ability to produce fruiting bodies upon significantly-decaying wood that is lacking bark cover.

Here we can see the situation in its larger context.

Moving in, we can observe the multiple fruiting bodies of the fungus, and below the lower-most one a small fraction of a sporophore remains (which dropped to the ground).

Just a little closer, on this one!

Here’s the one that fell from grace. Note the very bleached appearance.