Symptoms:

It causes a soft rot and decays the stem base and/or roots. The resulting brittle fracture has a ceramic like fracture surface. The fruiting bodies persist all year and their appearance is that of a coin sized asphalt spattering of domed lumpy crusts, brittle like charcoal, usually between the root buttresses. New fruiting bodies formed in the spring are flat and whitish grey. The fruiting bodies are lumpy and black (when mature) found at the base of a tree.

This disease is considered to be one of the most dangerous to trees as it attacks the root system as well as the heartwood. Trees with this fungus should be felled as structural deterioration happens quickly. Trees commonly affected are beech, sycamore and lime although it may occur on any species.

Non-chemical Fungi Control

More often than not, trees infected with Kretzschmaria deusta are recommended to be felled as soon as possible because of the rapid deterioration of trees affected by this fungus.

If you catch the fungus in its early stages it may be possible to destroy any arisings to prevent it spreading. But please check with a professional before destroying.

Susceptible Trees

Beech
Lime
Maple
Horse chestnut.