Question
I have 2 large Interior valley Oak trees in my yard that developed a white powdery fungus on all the new growth, deforming the branches and new leaves. I just also noticed some white , round with no stem mushrooms coming out of the ground around them. Is this the cause and what can I do ? i live in the Los Angeles Valley area.

Answer
Hi Jean:
Can you send a photo of the white powdery stuff? This may be an insect or even a disease.  Seeing the material may help in the ID.  Be sure to get as close as you can to your subject and always be sure to review the image on your computer first- before you send it.  It will need to be crisp and in focus to be helpful.

The mushrooms may be growing from buried organic material in the soil.  Many do not cause diseases, but merely grow on dead plant material.

Regards
Steve