Brown Rot

A good example of the cuboid  brown rot phase of a decaying tree. There is a scientific reason as to why the decaying wood  breaks up into regular square pieces before disintegrating but I did not understand the explanation. It's all part of the life cycle of a tree and it has been said that there are more living organisms in a dead tree than a live one. 
I ventured onto the Common at lunchtime where my conservation group were clearing some thick holly  and I knew a cup of tea would be on offer. One of them found a small antique ink pot in the ground. (extra) There is a building nearby that opened as a school in the 1880s. We pictured the children in the woods with their quill pens and ink pots drawing  treasures they found in the woods.