Honey Fungus and Wood Chips

[William]

Do wood chips encourage honey fungus? I have wood chips that have been on my flower beds for some years and are rotting. There are now clear signs of honey fungus on and under the wood chips (powdery white threads under the surface and no some honey coloured fungus at the surface). Some plants seem to be affected too (a rhododhendron has died and another plant looks unwell). Could this be the fault of the wood chips? Should I remove all of them completely (and not replace with new ones)? Is there anything I can do to check which plants are affected and anything I can do to help them fight off the fungus?

[alan30]

http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/dc19.php

This suggests that mulches are safe to use. What you describe is not necessarily Honey fungus. Generally see black 'bootlaces' rather than white threads. If it is however, the fungus is likely to spread by root contact between neighbouring plants and removal of the mulch will make no difference. Very little you can do if it is Honey fungus - see factshhet for tips and pick plants with some resistance.