Help with tree care, fungus diagnosis

[blthomas]

Noticed this fungus Saturday, pretty much showed up out of nowhere. Been a pretty dry summer in Virginia, but rained virtually everyday for a week. Believe this to be a maple.

I know shit about fuck regarding trees, I'm trying to find pics on the Google to help diagnose. Biggest concern is heart rot. Can I tell by the fungus itself?

Tree has prior damage with what I believe to be woodpecker holes on a older section.

Rest of tree appears sturdy, is not dropping branches or leaves at this time.

Really hate to drop it. But if I have to drop it and treat the fungus to save the other older, much larger trees I will. I've got a couple oaks here that are 12' plus in diameter.

Best course of action? Thanks

 

[KarlVP]

Call an arborist. Some of them will even come out for free, I know mine does but I have also done a shitload of business with him in the past.

 

[TrailTamer]

I think your tree is rotting inside out. Woodpeckers was there because there were insects in it. Fungus live off decaying organic.


also


12 feet plus tree trunk diameters? Pics?

 

[bgaidan]

That tree is gone. That's a lot of rot at that crotch and what's left of an old limb. It likely goes down pretty deep and those other limbs could come down at any time. If it threatens anything you care about if it falls, cut it asap. You're close enough to me - if you cut it and it's not completely heart rotten, bring the log down and I'll saw it on my mill in exhange for a slab or two.

 

[blthomas]

Call an arborist. Some of them will even come out for free, I know mine does but I have also done a shitload of business with him in the past.

I've been calling around, I'm honestly surprised no one has even returned calls. I've offered some cash for a 30 minute consult.

I think your tree is rotting inside out. Woodpeckers was there because there were insects in it. Fungus live off decaying organic.


also


12 feet plus tree trunk diameters? Pics?

That's what I was afraid of as I try and educate myself. I could try and get a pic, but its hard to get a good size reference. Got a pic of my wife next to one of them from January, see if I can dig it out.

That tree is gone. That's a lot of rot at that crotch and what's left of an old limb. It likely goes down pretty deep and those other limbs could come down at any time. If it threatens anything you care about if it falls, cut it asap. You're close enough to me - if you cut it and it's not completely heart rotten, bring the log down and I'll saw it on my mill in exhange for a slab or two.

Right on. I noticed the pecker holes in that old section, but never really paid much attention after we moved in, just too much going on and I work long days. Saw those spores and said awww shit....

Its right off the front porch . Hate to see it go but we have some very big oaks I'd rather take care of. Hoping those are healthy, I have concerns as each of them have a dead branch or two that need pruned off.

So if I need to bring it down, I've dropped trees before. But should I treat the fungus 1st for a week or whatever to try and kill it back to prevent the release of spores?

And thank you for that on the milling, would definitely take you up on that. I've built some amateur coffee tables from steel and wood, having some from tree onsite would be really cool.

Thanks for info so far

 

[Chevy_man]

Bet it's been rotting from the inside for years.

Spores are already all over. They won't grow unless there's decay they can grow in.

 

[Splib]

That tree is gone. That's a lot of rot at that crotch and what's left of an old limb. It likely goes down pretty deep and those other limbs could come down at any time. If it threatens anything you care about if it falls, cut it asap. You're close enough to me - if you cut it and it's not completely heart rotten, bring the log down and I'll saw it on my mill in exhange for a slab or two.

Buy this man a red star and a beer.
I agree completely as the fungus grows from wet rotten wood. That’s a lot of fungus. He made an offer you can’t refuse

 

[blthomas]

12 feet plus tree trunk diameters? Pics?

Pics attached, wife is size reference. She's 5-3, 7 foot if shes angry.

Diameter pic is from backyard tree with the sunset. Didn't measure the one out front.

Bunch of big units down in the woods.

Bet it's been rotting from the inside for years.

Spores are already all over. They won't grow unless there's decay they can grow in.

Probably. We just bought the place in January. It was a neglected property.

If I have to drop one, this little one I'm okay with mostly. It shades the front porch.

 

[Pony_Driver]

Fungus only grows on dead trees. That one is a goner.

 

[bgaidan]

Pics attached, wife is size reference. She's 5-3, 7 foot if shes angry.

Diameter pic is from backyard tree with the sunset. Didn't measure the one out front.

Bunch of big units down in the woods.

That's circumference.

15.5' is about 5' diameter.


I have 5-6 big oaks on my property. The "biggest" one is probably in that same 5-6' diameter at chest height, but has this crazy "burl" at the base that's close to 10-12'.

And this one is probably also in the 6' range and is hollow at least 25-30' up. I've convinced myself that it won't hit the barn if it falls, but it probably will. It's such a massive beast and will completely change the look and feel of my driveway if I have to take it down that I jus pretend it's healthy and nothing is wrong.

 

[blthomas]

That's circumference.

15.5' is about 5' diameter.


I have 5-6 big oaks on my property. The "biggest" one is probably in that same 5-6' diameter at chest height, but has this crazy "burl" at the base that's close to 10-12'.


And this one is probably also in the 6' range and is hollow at least 25-30' up. I've convinced myself that it won't hit the barn if it falls, but it probably will. It's such a massive beast and will completely change the look and feel of my driveway if I have to take it down that I jus pretend it's healthy and nothing is wrong.

That's fair . I'm on my 4th beverage and I'm a lightweight. She's using some tree age equation that uses circumference in inches to compute an approximate age. They are still some big ole trees.

If one of the big ones gets sick I'll let it stand until it's a hazard. Removing them would really change the look of the whole entire hillside

 

[arse_sidewards]

bring the log down and I'll saw it on my mill in exhange for a slab or two.

Remember that cherry I got? I bet this looks worse on the inside.