How do I get rid of this?

[LindaFromMCC]

Have discovered this on a shrub in the garden, and it seems to be spreading. I just removed it first time round as I have DC who would definitely have a go at eating it if I leave it the voice of bitter experience but it's just grown back with more gusto
Does anyone know if it's fairly harmless? Or if I'll need to get something a bit more powerful to get rid of it more permanently? Or is it just a case of removing it all the time?
I know next to nothing about types of fungus.

That's the fruiting body of a fungus which is probably living on the roots of that conifer. The reason it keeps coming back is the main part of the fungus is underground, a lot of fine threads called mycelium, and you're not touching that. It's not honey fungus, but if you can still get chemicals that will kill honey fungus, it would probably kill this too.

@MereDintofPandiculation thanks for this - that makes total sense. Also having researched honey fungus (I know that's not it, but just for some ideas) a few of the other symptoms make sense now. Off to get some online ordering done!

Did you know that trees, shrubs and other plants are connected underground via fungi?

I would leave it in place, or take off the visible mushrooms to stop the kids eating them. But not zonk it with chemicals. Fungal connections are essential to soil health and plant growth. You don't know what relationships the shrub has with the fungi, possibly a beneficial one even. Sadly, fungicides are one of the key bee and bumblebee killers, up there with glyphosates and we are facing severe insect extinction.
There is a newish book out by a marvelous young scientist called Merlin Sheldrake, “Entangled Life” which goes into lyrical detail about plant and fungal life. It is mind changing. I learnt that when plagued by mites, bumblebees seek out certain fungi with an antibacterial effect and coat themselves it it, almost medicinally. It is amazing.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/29/alarming-link-between-fungicides-and-bee-declines-revealed

That's really interesting, thanks stella. I've had a closer look at the plants the fungus has attached itself to, and they don't seem to be bothered by it - they look pretty healthy really. And I definitely don't want to do anything to harm bees and bee populations. Getting properly rid of it would be a real pain too!

I've removed the worst of the fungus to avoid DC eating it, but hopefully I can just leave it to grow back in future when they're older.

I'm glad you're not going to try and kill it. Fungus is amazing for the ecosystem!

Trees that are supported by fungus extending their root system are actually healthier and stronger than those that don't, for example. There can be vast, city-sized networks of fungi underground and then all we see is this teeny tiny part above ground for a brief period.

Wishing the best of health to your tree 🙂

Science isn’t far enough to know much about fungi, the study of fungi, mycology, has up to now been lumped in with botany/zoology and not given much funding or PR. Hopefully this will change.
I generally read that fungi growing on trees is a sign of a tree that already ill. There are probably very few people in the world who can name the fungus and the tree and tell you about their relationship. The rest of us are taught to zap fungus on sight.

I notice that your tree is still young, and the earth around it is quite bare. Could you add some ground over to help the tree over the hot summers, eg lungwort, forgetmenot, hellebores(lenten rose). Even ivy will shade the roots from overheating and drying out and this help your tree.

I would suggest ground cover + regular watering in Summer for longer tree life. I don’t think that zapping the fungus will extend the tree lifespan in any way, it may be a symptom of a stressed tree but not a cause.

Thanks for caring for the bumblebees. They love lungwort and old-type snowdrops btw.

Typos : add ground cover - this will help your tree.

Thanks - every day's a school day! Now I find myself wondering about all the massive networks of fungi underground every time I'm in the garden (whilst hoping they don't attack my lovely pyracantha!)

I'll definitely look at some more ground cover and I know it sounds daft but I honestly never thought to water the shrubs unless I've just put one in. But maybe not ivy, I'm currently in a useless fight against some that has no intention of going anywhere!