Hello there! We have a large bright yellow fungus growing on our cherry tree. It's growing out of an old scar where there would have been a branch removed many years ago. It grew very fast, and is soft, slimy and a little sticky. What is this thing? It can't be good for the tree. We don't know if we should leave it alone, call an arborist, remove the thing ourselves, or call the city, as technically the tree is growing on city property. The photo makes it look more orange than it really is, I took the photo near sunset. Thank you for any help you can give me. :) Amy
if its on city property, give them a heads up and they will deal with it as they see fit. it may need removal it may not be a high priority.
Why not the polypore Laetiporus sulphureus? Please, see the following web pages: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2006/01/laetiporus_sulphureus_1.php http://www.mushroomexpert.com/laetiporus_sulphureus.html http://www.pfc.scf.rncan.gc.ca/diseases/ctd/Group/Heart/heart8_e.html Cheers Harri Harmaja http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/harmaja/index.htm
Thanks everyone! If it is "chicken of the woods" (who came up with that name?!) then the tree is probably not long for this world? Anyway, I called the City and they're going to come take a look. Thank you! Amy
Ahhhh. Laetiporus isn't terribly parasitic, as far as i know. Just oppurtunistic. Will definitely consume dead hardwoods quickly... Personally, It's one of my top five favorite mushrooms of all. I would saute them and serve them in cheezy pasta. Deliscious business, that chickenofthewoods. :)
Chickenofthewoods, I'm in the same boat as you ... it is definetly one of my favorite top 5 mushrooms to eat. Anyway, I'm curious what the city did when they went to look at the mushroom ... Any update on this?
