08/03/2026
Did you know that some fungi in the garden can be detrimental, while other fungi can be harmless or a sign of a healthy landscape? Pictured here are two different kinds of fungi. The first is epifagus. Beechdrops are unique parasitic plants that lack chlorophyll, meaning they cannot produce their own energy through photosynthesis. They depend entirely on their relationship with mature, healthy American Beech trees (Fagus grandifolia), attaching their roots to the tree’s root system to obtain the resources they need to survive.
Although beechdrops are considered parasites, they do not negatively impact the health of their host tree. Instead, they are a natural and important part of a healthy woodland ecosystem. Their presence can be a sign of well-functioning soil, a thriving forest environment, and the interconnected relationships that support a diverse web of life. While epifagus is a good sign for your garden, the second image is more perplexing. A fruiting body growing within a wound on a trunk, could potentially be a negative visual signal for the tree. Give a Bartlett Arborist Representative a call today to help understand your landscape 🍄