Replies

1. 
   lwj2 | Nov 19, 2004 02:35pm | #1

   Roger, if that's oak it may be what's called a "gall". Not through my first cuppa so I can't recall the origin of a gall.

   Keep us updated, eh?

   Leon Jester, Roanoke VA

1. 
   RogerL | Nov 19, 2004 03:45pm | #2

   Leon:

    

   It's a maple tree.  I'll have to check out the lead though.

   Thanks Roger

1. 
   highfigh | Nov 19, 2004 04:56pm | #3

   Is it lighter on the backside? It looks like a bracket fungus, but I haven't seen many in that orientation. It may have been nudged at some point and just stayed attached the way it is now. Was that from a log that was laying down or positioned with the growth on top? If that's maple, you may have some spalting in it, too.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   RogerL | Nov 19, 2004 05:55pm | #4

   It was cut from a standing log and there is no spalting.  It is very adherent to the log but looks like it might be able to be pried off.  It is very dense and seems to have the density of wood when you "knock" on it.

   Thanks Roger

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 20, 2004 06:09am | #5

   That does look very much like a bracket fungus.  I've seen lots (thought not that big), but never one that grew in that particular orientation, flat to the log.  As mentioned above, maybe it was bumped or something.

   Here's a picture of a big one growing in the more usual orientation.  Interesting tidbits on this page about what this particular one might be used for.  I ran across George Barron's Website on Fungi -- I'll bet he'd identify it for you, and maybe even ask to have the image for his web site!

   PS:  Check out this one.  It'll make you lock your doors at night!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/19/2004 10:10 pm ET by forestgirl

1. 
   RogerL | Nov 20, 2004 08:39pm | #7

   Girl of the Forest....

   This is what George Baron wrote back:

   Dear Roger:It looks like a bracket fungus that has lost its way! I suspect two logs wereside by side. The bracket from one log overgrew the adjacent log and fusedwith it. Pry the bracket off and you might find pores on the underside thathad developed before it fused.Best I can do!..........................G

   Thanks for th "link"

    

   Roger

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 20, 2004 09:40pm | #8

   Cool.  I had fun researching the whole thing last night.  There's a big variety of fungi in the woods where my dog and I take walks, so I ran across a few I've seen.  There are some bright orange specimens, and those that grow in clusters on top of each other in layers.

   Glad he wrote you back!  Maples in our area often grow several trunks often touching.  Maybe that's what happened.  Was there an old rotten stump next to the trunk you cut?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   Edited 11/20/2004 1:42 pm ET by forestgirl

1. 
   RogerL | Nov 21, 2004 12:57am | #9

   It was a gift from a logger friend.  He brings me all kinds of burls.  He found this and wondered what it was.  I sent the picture to Bruce Hoadley via my friend his son-in-law.  I'll let you know what he thought.

   Roger

2. 
   Patto | Nov 22, 2004 08:51am | #10

   You want to see the ones that grow in the rainforest in North Queensland. A couple are un noticeable by day, but glow orange or yellow in the dark - very creepy the first time out for a young soldier from the city.

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 22, 2004 09:44am | #11

   ooooo, that's cool!  Makes me think I oughta take a walk in our wood in the dark and see if any of ours glow!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   gnarlyone | Nov 20, 2004 07:14am | #6

   I agree, bracket fungus growing in a weird orientation from its usual horizontal position. The underside when it is pried off will be a pale color and when scratched will leave a discloration. People have been known to draw pictures on it using the resultant discoloratin, and may even use artists paints for said pictures. Can sometimes be found in tacky tourist shops.