Pollarded Willows

The late autumn clear continues. The pond has been opened up to more light by cutting some of the Alder and pollarding the smaller Willows at the water’s edge. The suppler branches will be used to replenish the woven willow screen and fence. Still a bit to cut back on the larger trees next week, to reduce the twigs and leaves that drop in and contribute to the organic detritus. 

All being well, together with the removal of the excessive amount of reeds and decaying hornwort in the pond earlier this month, the water-quality should gradually improve.

Candlesnuff fungus

Also called Stag’s horn, has appeared by the woven-willow fence on the West side of the Reserve. It is a saprotobe (feeding on organic matter), found on decaying wood where it decomposes the complex sugars, helping to compost the host.

The fungus, particularly the mycelium, is bioluminescent, phosphorescing with a very faint greenish glow.

Here, following rain, the water droplets on the ‘wicks’ are almost spherical suggesting superhydrophobicity, perhaps due to a nano-structured hairy and/or waxy surface.

Further images and information 

First Nature - Candlesnuff fungus

Woodland Trust - Candlesnuff fungus