English Heritage said the copper beech tree in front of Framlingham Castle in Suffolk was diagnosed with an untreatable fatal fungus infection. Framlingham Town Council described the tree as "iconic".

The fungus, which lives inside the leaves, not only increases the production of defensive substances in the trees, but also produces an alkaloid itself that protects the trees from feeding damage.

The researchers found that young beech trees could transfer carbon to nearby "ectomycorrhizal" fungi—a kind of fungi that grows on and together with the tree roots in a beneficial relationship ...

Deciduous trees lose their leaves which provide food for worms, fungi and slime molds ... How summer weather affects the behaviour of British animals and plants. videoHow summer weather affects ...