In article ,
wrote:

so you think that the 'gall' I picture in photos #6 and #7 are a
bracket fungus? If so it is the only one.

Yes. That's normal.

To expand on my original statement - it looks like it was the sponginess
of the trunks/crown which led to the whole thing toppling down. And yes,
the majority of the leaves seemed fine; similar to those of the newer shoots
you can see coming from the crown.

Very typical of a heartwood-destroying fungus attack.

I suppose it is possible that despite the healthy-looking leaves, the whole
things could have been about to die. would it have been possible for the upper
branches and leaves to have obtained sustenance through the spongy crown,
do you think?

As Chris says. If you find a completely hollowed-out tree (oak, ash,
willow etc.), you will see how the heartwood merely holds things up,
and it's only the sapwood and cambium layer that transport nutrients.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.