Honey Fungus At Drinnies Wood, Aberdeenshire, Scotland,UK Royalty-Free Stock Photography

Honey Fungus is usually top of the list of diseases which concern gardeners as it can cause dramatic damage if it affects a much-loved tree, a hedge, or a shrub which may have been an important feature. There are seven species in Britain, four have been recorded in gardens and two cause serious damage; A. mellea attacks mainly broadleaved trees and shrubs; A. ostoyae affects conifers. The name derives from the honey colour of the mushroom-like fruiting bodies.The foliage of an affected plant wilts, turns yellow and there is premature leaf fall. Dieback of individual branches occurs, leading to the death of the whole plant which can happen over a period of two weeks to several years, depending on the maturity of the plant. There may be cracks in the bark at the base of the trunk, with an exuding sticky substance. This cracking can also be the symptom of the root-rotting disease.