A Honey Fungus Discovery

A Honey Fungus Discovery

A Honey Fungus Discovery
21 January 2025

Our Arboriculture team has been out and about in East Cheshire conducting a BS5837 tree survey as part of improvement works on public infrastructure. During the survey, the surveyor noticed a distinctive mushroom smell, a tell-tale sign of honey fungus ( Armillaria ) a parasitic fungus that can affect a broad range of woody and perennial plants. On closer inspection of trees in the area, we found distinctive “bootlace” Armillaria rhizomorphs covering the internal bark of several trees and decaying wood on the woodland floor.

Many of the trees were in decline or already dead, with one particularly large common beech tree having succumbed to advanced decay, and also had several fruiting bodies of bracket fungus ( Ganoderma sp.). This recently deceased tree had left a significant gap in the canopy, giving some indication of how large this tree would have been in its prime.

While the woodland is private and not accessible to the public, the large decaying trees and fallen wood pose little risk and can be left to contribute to the natural cycle of growth and decay, adding vital nutrients to the soil and supporting biodiversity.

Although a pathogenic fungus, Armillaria is a native species that forms part of this cycle within woodland. Our recommendations included selective removal work where necessary.

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25 June 2026
INNS compliance should be integrated into project planning at the earliest stage, as well as site management, and delivery. We discuss key measures for the management of floral INNS.
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On behalf of Cheshire East Council, TEP has secured consent for the expansion of the Environmental Services Hub site. The expansion will facilitate a weekly food waste collection service for every property in the borough, helping Cheshire East Council prepare for a new statutory requirement from central government due to come into force from 2026-2027. To achieve this, we prepared and managed three planning applications: A full application for 84 new employee parking spaces, a bin storage area and a security lodge; A non-material amendment application for the reconfiguration of the existing site layout; and A variation of condition application to increase the limit on vehicle movements. The project began with a pre-application advice request, followed by discussions with the local planning authority to confirm the applications and supporting information required for submission. A key element of the project was the preparation of a planning needs case. This justified the development remaining at the Environmental Services Hub site, rather than a 'preferred site' identified within the council's Waste Plan. The case also identified the benefits of increasing recycling rates and supporting sustainable waste management across the borough. To support the applications, traffic surveys were commissioned and a Transport Statement was prepared, demonstrating that the proposals would have no negative impact on the local highway network. A Transport Note was also produced to establish the number of vehicle movements that should be permitted through the variation of condition application. Air quality and noise assessments were also undertaken to demonstrate that impacts would be limited and acceptable.