96 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



root rot. It has no particular host, being 

 found alike on coniferous and hard-wooded 

 trees, and on both root and stern. Known 

 as the honey fungus and edible, this toadstool 

 is about three inches in diameter, and of a 

 yellowish-brown or rusty colour, with greyish 

 scales near the top. It spreads with great 

 rapidity both in the soil and between the bark 

 and wood of the affected tree. The only 

 remedy is digging out and destroying the 

 fungus, and, in the case of healthy young 

 trees, collecting and burning the mycelium. 



Dry rot is caused by attacks of that far 

 too common fungus Merulius /acrymans, more 

 usually known by the name of the " dry-rot 

 fungus." It is abundant everywhere, both in 

 living and dead wood, the latter principally. 

 The use of immature timber in buildings, 

 aided by imperfect ventilation, is the main 

 cause of attack. Carbolic acid applied to the 

 attacked timber is to be recommended, and 

 painting with carbolineum produces excellent 

 results. 



Fungi do not, as a rule, thrive on dusty, 

 dry wood, but the present species is an ex- 



