Question
Overview
I have a Red Oak tree in the Atlanta area which has a fungus showing at the base of the trunk. There are also brown spots on some lower leaves that is visible. The tree is only about 8 feet from my house and I have received two opinions, both of which suggest removing the tree. One opinion suggests the bottom of the trunk is probably hollow and rotting, which is supporting the fungus, and during removal the chips could be left in the area. The other opinion suggests removing the tree and all remnants to prevent possible spread of the fungus to other trees in the area. I would appreciate your opinion. I am wondering what type of fungus this is and what might have caused it. I am OK with removing the tree, but if we do so, I am not sure about leaving the chips or the stump, will this cause possible spread of the fungus to other trees?
AnswerThese are the fruiting bodies of a decay fungi. The fungi enters a wound in the trunk and will infect the woody dead cells on the inner part of the tree. Over time they may cause the tree to become hollow. They will not infect the living cells just under the bark called the cambium layer and thus do not really effect the health of the tree. A hollow tree can and does live for many years. The only problem could be that over time the decay will grow into the limbs and cause large limbs to break off. When this starts to happen you may need to evaluate the tree and determine if the falling limbs will damage anything if they fall and if so then you can decide to take it down or not. Until then I would not take the tree down just because it maybe hollow. No this fungi will not spread to other trees unless there is a wound that the spores from the fruiting body (conk) could get into a tree. The chips will not be a problem what so ever. I would fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. This will increase the overall health of the tree. fertilize this fall and again in the spring. Apply the fertilize just before a good rain storm and you will not need to water.
If the foliage is green and healthy looking and full I would not take the tree down. IF you want an unbiased opinion You could call the local office of the Ga Forestry Commission and ask one of their Foresters to come take a look. Most tree service folks want the business of taking a tree down more than keeping a tree and I would not go with their advice unless they were a Certified Arborist with the health of the tree in mind not making money.
