Fungus growth

yorkshirerose

I have an old Sambucus 'Aureum' tree which is gradually declining (although it does still throw out new basal growth every year) It is suddenly covered in this white fungus, I think it may be a sign of honey fungus. Can anyone confirm or identify, please?

Liriodendron

There are hundreds of different fungi, many of which live on dead wood.  I'm pretty sure that your white fungus is not honey fungus, but another of the many "wood recycling" ones.  

nutcutlet

Honey fungus has toadstools and bootlaces. Liri is right.

BobTheGardener

Agree, the fungus is growing because the wood is dead but will not travel in the soil and infect other trees and shrubs like HF does.  If you chop the lot down to where that old trunk was previously removed, it may well throw up new shoots - sambucas are almost impossible to kill.  You could then either leave the new growth or (my personal preference) use some of it as cuttings which will likely root easily.

nutcutlet

BobTheGardener said:

 sambucas are almost impossible to kill. 

But it looks as though it can be done

BobTheGardener

nutcutlet said:

BobTheGardener said:

 sambucas are almost impossible to kill. 

But it looks as though it can be done

yorkshirerose

Thank you all for your comments. I am loathe to chop the tree down as I use it to support a clematis. I know Bob is right in saying Sambucus are nearly impossible to kill. Mine looks completely dead but always sends up new shoots.