Fungus growing on dead tree stump- spreading?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

We had to have a lovely corkscrew willow tree cut down about 5 years ago. I loved it but it had been planted far too near the house and was HUGE! Because they are so shallow rooted it used to look like the lawn underneath was breathing when we had very windy weather! Used to be terrified of it falling over onto the house so it had to go.

Anyway, some tree surgeons cut it down to the ground and put stump killer on. They couldnt bring a stump grinder machine wotsit thru from the front to the back garden as we don't have access round the side. So stump killer had to do.

We have had fungus growing on it more or less ever since. It seems to be getting bigger but I thought it was just a part of the decay process so have never done anything to it. But today I noticed that a hydrangea next to it seems to have the same fungus growing from the base so I'm worried that whatever the fungus is is going to spread round the garden.

What is the best thing to do?

All I know is that fungus releases spores so will spread. I think you have to cut it off in the first instance.

It depends what it is. Some only grow on certain trees. Can you get a pic?

Is it honey fungus?

Tree fungus will generally also spread along buried roots, there may be one running in that direction, which i would think was more likely than it spreading to a living plant.

Jade, I will try and post a pic up later or tomorrow.

Sleepybump, I hadn't thought of that. So if there were tree roots right at the base of the Hydrangea I suppose it could be that instead.

Not sure if it's honey fungus, I googled that yesterday and wasn't sure. But yes, I'll post a pic to see if anyone can identify it.

Thanks

Right, the rain stopped this afternoon so I could go out and take a picture!

Anyone know what it is? I think I managed to get a picture of the hydrangea on my profile page too - hopefully it's not too small, so that you can see where it's growing at the base of the hydrangea.

Much obliged!