In June this year a young(ish) red horse chestnut in Mayow Park was observed and identified as dead with only a few dried leaves remaining, no leaf buds and brittle branches, perhaps due to the challenging weather last winter (extra cold), spring (extra damp) and summer (extra dry). Lewisham's tree officer arranged for tree surgeons to remove all branches. The tree was able to remain as a monolith, standing proudly, providing habitats for fungi and invertebrates.
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| monolith red horse chestnut: photo A Sheridan |
By the end of August a magnificent Dryad's Saddle bracket fungus (Polyporus squamosus) had taken up residence roughly 2 metres above the ground.
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| Underside Dryad's Saddle (photo A Sheridan) |
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| Dryad's Saddle view from above (photo A Sheridan) |
This fungus is supposed to smell strongly of water melon but it was too high up to find out. It does not have gills but has pores instead. Its chosen habitat is deciduous trees and stumps. It is a fine looking fungus.
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