This is a sad story about the loss of an old friend. Until recently Topiary Tim was the proud owner of a herd of green elephants, but unfortunately one of his animals fell sick and has had to be cut down and removed. The problem was the disease known as honey fungus for which there is no cure so complete removal of the infected material was the only answer. I found this story on the Out of My Shed blog which has all the details.

Here?s Tim. Topiary Tim. He?s looking a bit sad. One of our elephants has had to go.

Up until the end of last year, all was looking well in the herd. But then, fairly swiftly, telltale signs of honey fungus were spotted. There was dieback on the trunk and ears of the baby elephant.At first we were in a state of denial.?Maybe somebody had poured some nasty chemicals on the ground?or perhaps?wandered past with a flame thrower? But who were we kidding.?We dug up roots of the wilting/dead trunk and ears, and our worst suspicions were confirmed. White fungus was clearly visible between the bark and wood.Unfortunately, there is no cure for Honey Fungus. On the RHS website it says, ?the only effective remedy is to excavate and destroy, by burning or landfill, all of the infected root and stump material. This will destroy the food base on which the rhizomorphs (brown root-like cords) feed and they are unable to grow in the soil when?detached from infected material.?

See more at Out of My Shed