The honey fungus, also known as honey fungus or hedge fungus, is a mushroom that occurs in large numbers in many regions of Germany. There are around seven species known in this country, but they all look very similar and can hardly be distinguished from one another by laypeople.
How to deal with honey fungus in the garden?
In the garden, honey fungus infestation can be prevented by keeping the trees he althy. If infested, the affected tree should be completely cleared to contain the fungus and prevent it from spreading. Honey mushroom is also a tasty edible mushroom when cooked.
Hallimasch destroys entire forests
Due to its parasitic lifestyle, the honey fungus is not welcomed by foresters and winegrowers: The fungus can grow extremely large and very old - in fact, the largest living creature in the world is a honey fungus, which covers an area of 880 hectares in Oregon has spread and caused an initially mysterious forest dieback - and attacks all the wood that it can reach.
Hallimasch is not picky
The fungus is not picky at all: thanks to its large host range, you can find it on both deciduous and coniferous trees, on hedges as well as on woody shrubs and even on potatoes. It attacks both dead and diseased wood and even penetrates he althy trees if it is through a wound or similar.similar. offers an opportunity. The parasite thrives particularly well in warm and humid weather. Basically you can find the honey fungus on every tree, only on the yew (Taxus) and the silver fir (Abies alba) no infection has yet been detected.
How to recognize a honey fungus infestation
You can recognize a honey fungus infestation long before the first fruiting bodies appear. As soon as these appear, the cause of wilting, poor growth and peeling bark should be identified. As the fungus, which grows underground, works its way up from the roots and under the bark, it destroys the cambrian, as the tissue between the wood and the bark is called, along the way. As a result, the bark falls off, under which you can finally see a white, flat mycelium. In the event of a severe infestation, the honey fungus causes white rot, which ultimately puts the affected tree at risk of breakage.
Prevention and control
The only way to combat it is to completely clear the infected tree(s) - in this way you deprive the fungus of its food source and also prevent it from spreading further. When it comes to prevention, you should make sure to keep your trees in your garden as he althy and free of pests as possible. Honey mash prefers to attack already weakened trees.
Tip
The honey mushroom is also an excellent edible mushroom, although poisonous when raw. Harvest the young hats and boil them for at least ten minutes before each use. Then pour away the cooking water.
