Hello, I live in North Jersey and I was coming home and noticed this very large growth on an oak tree outside in my front yard. From far away I thought it was a big beehive. A closer look showed me that it was actually some kind of fungus. It's about 5 feet up on the tree from the gound. Measuring about 13.5 inches high and 15 inches wide. There is also a smaller growth about a foot higher up on the tree. Can someone please help me identify these and are they toxic? I have attached the pictures I took at night to help.
bracket fungus and other fruiting bodies on your tree likely indicate major internal decay. the white one looks like: Climacodon septentrionalis the other one may be an older, discolored basidiocarp of the same species but I don't have any pictures in my reference books that look just like it. If this tree is near a target I would suggest having it evaluated by a qualified arborist. a link for some good information: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/climacodon_septentrionale.html