Fleecy fungus

Fleecy fungus

This fleecy fungus was growing on bedding compost. I presume the black flecks are the bodies which actually produce the spores.

Fallen tree

Fallen tree

The slowly decaying trunk of the fallen tree which also featured in the last post. Where the bark has gone the wood is marked by many holes which look like it has been the target for darts practice. In some places there is a range of sizes of the holes (above), elsewhere they look remarkably uniform (below). Presumably they are the product of some form of wood-boring insect.

Fallen tree

Old bracket fungus

Old bracket fungus

This large and now elderly bracket fungus is at the base of a tree which fell a couple of years ago in the central reservation of the ring road right by Chapel Ash roundabout. It is likely to be what killed the tree.

Yew flowers

Yew flowers

Apparently male and female flowers bloom on different trees. The male, which I presume are the ones shown here, are more prominent.

Yew flowers

Weeping willow

Weeping willow

The new growth of a weeping willow, green in the spring. This tall specimen guards the entrance to Compton Park.