Join Plymouth Tree People for an evening talk by the internationally renowned fungal ecologist

Fungi in the life of tree with Professor Lynne Boddy (Cardiff University)

Entry to our talks is free, but if you can afford to, please consider a donation to help us cover our costs.

Join Plymouth Tree People and Professor Lynne Boddy to discuss the importance of fungi and the interconnected relationship that exists between it and trees.

Trees are majestic, beautiful and enhance our lives. They are often thought of as a single organism – a large plant, but they do not operate on their own.

As humans we are becoming increasingly aware that our bodies are covered with microbes that play important roles in our health, for example, our gut microbes. So too with trees. A tree is never just a tree, it is always a tree plus very many fungi and other microbes. Every tree is partnered by fungi which supply water and nutrients to the roots, and also with fungi hidden in their tissues – leaves, stems and roots, and epiphytic fungi. They also depend, on decomposer fungi to break down dead tissues, especially wood, and in so doing release nutrients which become available for continued plant growth. Also, some fungi are pathogens. Moreover, trees and their fungi provide habitat for thousands of other organisms.

About Lynne

Lynne Boddy is Professor of Fungal Ecology at Cardiff University UK. She has taught and researched the ecology of fungi associated with trees and wood decomposition for 50 years. She is fascinated by the hidden parts of fungi – mycelia - and how they behave in the natural world, their aggressive interactions between fungi of other species, how their communities develop in wood, how they are affected by invertebrates that feed on them and by climate change. She is a prolific author having co-authored many scientific papers, academic books, and popular fungi books for children and adults, including “Fungi and trees; their complex relationships” published by the Arb Association. Lynne is an ardent communicator of the mysteries and importance of the amazing hidden Kingdom of Fungi to the general public including TV, radio, popular talks, videos, articles and exhibitions. She has received many national and international awards for her outstanding contributions to Mycology and to Science Outreach, including an MBE in 2019, and the Arboricultural Association Award for significant contribution to the arboricultural profession in 2021.

Our evenings are held at Cafe Momus on Manor Street and start at 6.30pm but please arrive in good time to get a drink and a seat. The bar will be open throughout and we hope you can join us at this relaxed venue for a drink or some food after the talk.

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