Question
Fall Plants
Our willow tree, about 20 years old, has something growing under its bark, pushing the bark out, starting low on the tree. These things look like a pile of various sized and shaped golf balls. These growths are in large patches all around the tree. I presume the tree is lost, but can this spread to other trees? We have a lot of oaks. This stuff looks like it is going to hatch aliens. What should be done?
AnswerPat, Yes these Alien like creatures are eating your tree from the inside out, and will eventually kill the tree. It is a fungus and the golf balls are actually the fruitng body of the fungus commonly known as a mushroom. They could attck other tree's but most fungal pathogens are species specific and only can invade a host if the host tree is already damaged and has an entry point. i wouldn't worry about your oaks regarding this tree, I would just have it removed before it falls down. Good Luck!
Cheers, Gary O
