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Help identifying fungus/mould on stump of silver birch

tobyhowardtobyhoward Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, two weeks ago we had a silver birch tree felled, and something strange and gelatinous has very quickly grown on the stump. I've never seen anything like this before! Researching, I suspect it is some kind of slime mould, but I'd welcome any thoughts, especially about whether it is poisonous to wildlife and pets, and whether to leave it or try to remove it. Location: Stockport, Cheshire. Thanks very much!

Toby

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited April 2021
    Hi Toby and welcome.  I agree and think that's a slime mould rather than a fungus. They don't tend to last long and it's probably feeding on the sap which will still be rising from the roots.  As far as I know they aren't dangerous to animals or people.  The only way to stop it immediately would be to have the roots ground out, but if the stump keeps bleeding sap for some time and you can't remove it, it may be worth looking at drilling some holes in it and using a stump killer (but that will be toxic, of course.) PS, I've added your photo, so others can easily see it. :)

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • tobyhowardtobyhoward Posts: 2
    BobTheGardener said:
    Hi Toby and welcome.  I agree and think that's a slime mould rather than a fungus. They don't tend to last long and it's probably feeding on the sap which will still be rising from the roots.  As far as I know they aren't dangerous to animals or people.  The only way to stop it immediately would be to have the roots ground out, but if the stump keeps bleeding sap for some time and you can't remove it, it may be worth looking at drilling some holes in it and using a stump killer (but that will be toxic, of course.) PS, I've added your photo, so others can easily see it. :)

    Thank you very much Bob!

    best, Toby
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