Bees wax bracket.
Beech.
Oak.
Growing at and above the butt of the tree – up to heights of 2-3m on very large trees and lapsed pollards.
Perennial. Tough and woody. Upper surface a dull purplish-brown. When scratched it damages like bees wax. Pore surface white. Flesh brown. Spore brown. Can become very large.
Ganoderma australe (far more widespread and abundant and lacking the bees wax quality when scratched); Ganoderma resinaceum (Annual).
Parasitic. Attributed to a selective white rot. Anecdotal evidence suggests decay develops in a rose-like pattern (photo e). Where targets exist, investigations into hollowness should be considered.