Brown mushroomy thing

[Sno]

I have had this fungus issue . And I am not sure if it is a problem or not .
My Silver Birch keeps has a recurring shroom ( last two seasons ) . The tree remains healthy and has shown no ill effects in that time . The biggest issue is that I have to watch the drainage hole from being ' over grown ' . Can anyone tell me if this is a symbiotic relationship or is it doomed or don't worry about it ' it's just a fungus ' ? Better still what is it ?

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Cheers Sno

[Watto]

Don't know what it is, but nice photography.
I will watch with interest.

[shibui]

I don't know what it is but a quick search showed that the main wood rotting fungi in birches produces 'bracket' type fruiting bodies which are considered medicinal. Birches are also affected by honey fungus (Armillaria sp) which are root rotting fungi but they produce small yellowish toadstools and quickly kill trees so you don't have that either.
There is mention of some mycorrhizal associations with birch roots and seeing as your tree seems to be doing very well I'd guess this is one of those.

[Sno]

Thanks Watto and Shibui . So I got an ID from a mushroom forum . It's Thelepora terrestris . An odd spreading fungus that crawls through forest litter . Apparently it's mycorrhizal with conifers and some reports say with Eucalyptus . So I'm hoping besides blocking my drainage hole it's going to be beneficial .
Cheers Sno

[FruitFly]

Well I can't add to the above advice, but I wanted to say, what a great little tree and I love the pot.

Definitely adding a few of these to by "must buy" list.

[Thymetraveller]

Me too!
Great to see this little tree again and developing beautifully!
It inspired me to get hold of one for the shohin comp, and so far it's been great to work with.

[Sno]

Thanks Fruitfly .
Thanks Thyme traveler . Your tree is coming along nicely and it's got good bark already . There is some great examples over on IBC , if you haven't already seen them you should check them out .