Mushroom-Producing Fungi: Friends or Foes of Trees?

And 4 Types of Wood Decay Fungi You Need to Look out For

One of the top reasons to cut down a tree is because it's either dead or dying. No one wants a tree to fall and damage their property, and sometimes the risk just isn't worth it.

Wood decay fungi cause wood rot that weakens trees and can lead to tree failure, and many times they produce fruiting bodies in the form of mushrooms or conks to let you know they're present. But does seeing any type of mushroom or conk on or near your tree mean it has to come down? Maybe not.

The friendly fungi

First things first — not all fungi are harmful. In fact, some fungi are actually good for your trees.

Fungi can have three types of relationships with trees: symbiotic, saprophytic, and parasitic. Symbiotic fungi form a mutually beneficial relationship with their host trees. The fungus will settle down in the roots of the tree and make the tree's moisture and nutrient absorption capabilities better. Meanwhile, the fungus gets a share of the carbohydrates the tree makes through photosynthesis. It's a win-win.

You might already know one type of symbiotic fungus called the fly agaric. It produces mushrooms with red caps and white spots, like the kind you may recognize if you've ever played the Mario video game series. Fly agaric grows near the roots of birch and pine trees and shields them from parasitic species. Talk about a power boost!

Saprophytic fungi are the ones that process dead and decaying organic matter. It's not unusual to find their mushrooms or conks on stumps and piles of woodchips, hard at work with their decomposing duties. We'll put these fungi in the friendly category since they're just doing their jobs, but they are common signifiers that your tree is in decline.

The fiendish fungi

Some types of fungi don't have the patience to wait for a tree to start dying before it feeds. These parasitic wood decay fungi will infect live trees at their weak points — any type of wound that exposes inner tree tissue.

Wood decay fungi release chemicals that lead to wood rot, which can weaken the compressive strength and/or bending strength of your tree. Since these fungi attack trees beneath the surface (either inside the tree or underground), sometimes the only way to know your tree is infected is when a limb snaps off or the entire tree fails in a storm.

Other times, you'll see signs of wood decay fungi, which can include:

• Crown dieback that's gotten worse over time
• Swelling in the lower part of your tree's trunk
• Open cavities on your tree
• More carpenter ants than usual
• Cracks in your tree that are secreting resin
• A slow decline in overall vigor

And of course, mushrooms and conks are a common sign that a wood decay fungus is present in a tree.

4 types of wood decay fungi (and their mushrooms) that you should know about

So, which mushrooms and conks should you look out for? Well, there are four types of wood decay fungi you'll see in the Charlotte, NC area:

1. Brittle cinder fungus

   This type of fungus is often found on beech, sugar maple, and red maple trees. You may see fruiting bodies that are gray with white edges.
   
   

2. Warted polypore

   You're likely to see this fungus on old, stressed oaks. They may produce large and irregular conks on the trunk of the tree at the soil line or on exposed roots. The conks start out a light yellow to yellow-brown color. Inside, they can be reddish-brown and porous or even more of a chestnut-brown color with a corky texture. Older conks become black with rough, cracked surfaces.
   
   

3. Ganoderma sessile

   This fungus is usually found on hardwoods: oaks, maples, beeches, and hickories. During the late summer and into fall, you may see round and half-moon-shaped conks at the base of the tree or on any woody roots. The tops of the conks are a shiny (or varnished) red to mahogany color when they're young. They could also be light yellow to brown in color, and they may or may not have white edges. 
   
   

4. Honey mushroom

   This fungus can hit a wide variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. Its characteristic mushrooms are honey colored and may be found around the base of the tree.

If you think you can get rid of fungal infections by pulling out the mushrooms or conks, think again. Mushrooms and conks are just the fruiting body of the fungus, like the flower of a plant. The rest of the fungus can run all throughout a tree's bark and sapwood.

The fungi mentioned above don't always produce fruiting bodies, but if you've seen mushrooms or conks growing on or near your tree, or you've noticed other signs of a fungal infection, call in the professionals. The experts at Carolina Tree Care can identify the fungus, let you know if you should be worried, and recommend the best actions to take.

We may recommend fungicide treatments. Taking measures to enhance the general health of your tree can help, too. We're talking making sure the tree is adequately watered, decreasing soil compaction, mulching, fertilizing, and addressing any root issues, to name a few. That way, your tree can increase its own defenses.

Worried about the mushrooms or conks you're seeing around your tree? Let our pros ease your mind. Request a consultation today!