[elzorillo]

Over the last few seasons some of my trees have died.. About 15 years ago I reserved a small area where there were already some well established Bramleys/plums/pears as a mini orchard and planted a few more fruit trees.

Over the last 3/4 years I've lost three blamleys and two plum trees. All older original trees (although not too old).

Checked yesterday to find the one remaining bramley covered around it's base in fungus/toadstools. Also the same toadstools around another plum and also covering the sites of the previously dead trees now buried below the surface. Can anyone help my desperation please.. I've enclosed a photo of the dreaded fungi!

Is this even the cause :/

[JayG]

Looks and sounds very much like honey fungus to me. 

RHS article HERE, although I'm afraid there isn't an easy fix for it (their illustration of the toadstools doesn't look exactly like yours but there are several variants in the UK.)

[elzorillo]

Thanks for the reply.. image 5 on that page looks very similar.

What a shame..