Amazing Turkey-tail fungus in our local woods

A long hot, dry summer has led onwards to a cool and often very wet autumn and winter. This means good times for fungi which have appeared in many places and in a diversity of colours, forms and habitats. When we talk of fungi most people immediately think of typical mushroom-like structures which we see in fields, roadsides, and woodlands across the region. Of course, these mushrooms are merely the fruiting bodies whereas the ‘business’ part of the fungus is made up extensive hyphae that run throughout the soil or perhaps in the deadwood of tree-trunks, stumps, and branches. Indeed, these latter habitats of deadwood, either fallen on the ground or still on the tree, can be rich sites for a variety of fungi. These fungal colonies thrive during periods of cold and drought for example, which kill off most ‘mushrooms’, and furthermore they are often overlooked.

This year, plenty of damp weather and often quite mild temperatures in recent months mean some of our fungi have done remarkably well. When you walk in woods, parks, or along the moorland fringe, you will find tree stumps and rotting trunks covered in fungal fruiting bodies. Even in your own back garden, the autumn and winter can trigger massive growths of fungal bodies. A particularly distinctive species is the Basidiomycete fungus, called the ‘Turkey Tail’ or, to give it the scientific name, Trametes versicolor (formerly Coriolus versicolor or Polyporus versicolor). The upper fungal cap has concentric zones of different colours with the margin always the lightest and nearly pure white. The name ‘versicolor’ means many coloured and overall, this fungus looks like an American turkey’s tail. There is more to this fungus than meets the eye, and having been used in China for its medical properties for over two thousand years, it is presently under investigation for its potentially useful properties. This common and widespread fungus has a global distribution and is especially stunning when at its peak of growth. The dramatic looking fungus is used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with health issues. Similar but unrelated fungi include False Turkey Tail or Golden Curtain Crust (Stereum ostrea), and Gilled Polypore, Birch Mazegill or Multicolour Gill Polypore (Trametes betulina). but if you want to bulk up next year’s display, you can lift and divide this year’s clumps while they are still “in the green” – meaning you don’t have to wait for the leafy part of the plant to die back. Just lift the clump out of the ground, divide into several little clumps and plant with the white part of the stem under the soil and the leaves and flowers above. The advantage of doing this now is that you can see where the spaces you want to fill are!

Uses vary from being a general health improving tonic, to treating cancer, and boosting the body’s immune systems. As a drug it is taken as pills or powders in various dietary supplements and contains powerful antioxidants. Research suggests extracts of the fungus have immuno-stimulant and antitumour properties. There is a polysaccharide-K (PSK), as a proprietary product based on Turkeytail, and developed for cancer treatment in Japan. Some Coriolus extracts such as polysaccharidepeptide (PSP) and VPS are available as dietary supplements. It seems the extracts are ‘biological response modifiers’ boosting the body’s immune system, and slowing growth and reproduction of tumour cells. They may also reduce side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Clinical use of extracts is being investigated, but whilst available for Chinese medicine, they are not yet fully licenced for other medical usage. Amazing stuff, but of course don’t try it at home.

The bright yellow of the Mahonia bush is beautiful during the winter, but it should be pruned once it has finished flowering. Take the flower spears out and prune out any long shoots. It’s also a good time to lightly trim winter heathers, but make sure you don’t cut back into old wood.

Grey mould can be a problem in greenhouses this time of year. Cold and damp is the cause, the worst being damp which is why you shouldn’t start watering again unless the soil in your overwintered pots is properly dry. On warmer days open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. If you do get mould, take off the

It’s all about finding a local expert that you can trust, that will keep your best interests at heart, whilst giving you straightforward advice.

No matter what twists and turns life throws at you, our legal team are here to help. But we are more than legal experts, we love to help to help people.

> Wills & Property Trust Wills

> Lasting Powers of Attorney

> Injury or Illness Claims

> Divorce or Children Matters

> Employment Advice

> Financial Disputes

Appointments by voice-call, video-call, in-person at one of our office or if you are unable to leave the hospital our staff are happy to visit you at your bedside.