Recent surveys at Hatfield Forest by Ted Green and Alan Lucas, have revealed some exceptional fungi. Of the rare species recorded, 2 are on the UK Red Data List and 9 are on the European Red List making Hatfield a site of International importance for its fungal populations. The importance of decaying wood of ancient trees for wood decomposing fungi such as Ganoderma pfeifferi and G. lucidum and Hericium (Creolophus) cirrhatus, is of immense value in that it provides a habitat essential for the fruiting of many species that are simply not seen on younger dead wood. Furthermore the recording of five different Ganoderma species (perennial bracket fungi) from one site is remarkable.

The surveyors found several species (Junghuhnia separabilima and Phellinus cavicola) neither of which are on the UK or EU Red Lists, which are extremely rare and found only from a few sites across Southern Britain and from similar wood pasture habitats with a long history as a Royal Forest. The Forest, which is owned and managed by the National Trust, is the last remaining intact medieval hunting forest in Europe and is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. Commenting on the new findings, Property Manager for Hatfield Forest, Vikki Forbes, said: ‘It is further proof that Hatfield Forest is a wonderful site for nature conservation. However, as some fungi, especially mycorrhizal species, have been shown to be very vulnerable to air pollution this adds to our concerns about airport expansion proposals at Stansted Airport.’ (for National Trust press release concerning expansion of Stansted click here - as a Word document).