Beech beware!
Here is a young specimen of ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ , the Black-staining polypore, common enough in the Forest. Later, with age or damage, the tissues first turn brown and then become deep brown or almost black as dark pigments accumulate. These fungi have been used by dyers, producing surprisingly attractive grey, brown and black colours from wool and other fibres.
Although healthy beech can coexist with this black-hearted fungus, it often is a harbinger of death for the tree.