John's Huge Fungus --- Ray's response

John brought up to Old Lodge a huge Fungus which he had taken off a copper beech in his church yard.

Ray corrected John's identification saying that it was a Giant Polypore ( Meripilus giganteus, not Grifola frondosa) and sent the following information on it.

'Dear Martin

First chance to get back to you on this cf. your friend with the Beech tree problem in the Churchyard.

This is being attacked by Meripilus giganteus , the Giant Polypore, an aggressive root-rotting parasite, which undermines the stability of the tree.

Roger Phillips notes: Not edible due to the sour taste and fibrous texture. It is not ‘Hen of the Woods’  Grifola frondosa which is smaller, less tough and occurs mainly at the base of Oak trees (and is considered edible, but should be viewed as a candidate for conservation as it is Uncommon).'

Please find a link below to the pdf of 'Hen of the woods'


please click on this link to see the pdf

Book ref:The Mushroom Guide & Identifier: Peter Jordan – who writes as a ‘forager’


Sorry if image comes upside down. I am sure you can sort out.

Ray indicates that this is a very aggressive fungus, and the tree is likely to be dangerous, unsaveable and best cut down immediately, possibly with council advice.


Martin