I live in Orlando, Florida. About 4 weeks ago my oak tree started losing all leaves on one side and now it has spread to the other side. I have attached a photo of a mushroom colony on the base of the trunk, it is about 6 inches total across. I am a novice at this and am really looking for any direction or help identifying this, and what it means. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the response. If I have either of these, are they terminal? What should I do? Thanks again.
Premised I am not sure which fungus you've got there : I don't think these will harm your oak, as mycelium will not go deeper than the tree's bark.
Thanks for the response. What would cause the rapid loss and death of leaves as shown in the picture? Is that not a symptom of the tree dying quickly? Thanks again. I can provide more information about the fungus or better pics if you request them and need certain angles or something.
do yo see a verticle line or split running up and down the trunk? look for some sort of mark or scar.
Doesn't look at all good to me - bracket fungi like those are typically wood-decay fungi rotting the heartwood, and some are also pathogens that will kill live sapwood, and ultimately the whole tree. Best get an on-site inspection by an ISA-certified arborist. That tree could do a lot of damage if it comes crashing down as a result of decay.
Thanks everyone for all of the help. It was indeed trametes versicolor. They did not seem to think it showed signs of lightning strikes. Today, I have a stump. 1,000 dollars and a lot of heartache later, I have a tree stump. I wish I took pictures but the base of the tree was decaying from the inside out. It was kind of rotten and discolored in the center. Thanks again to everyone who chimed in.
