Fungus ID??

[Mrsmorningwood]

I found several of these ugly little turd like fungi on a big, otherwise healthy Live Oak. They seem to be just on the fissures of bark but I'm not 100% on that.

 

[guymayor]

I'll look those up if I can.

Venice High school, class of 67

 

[AxeKnot]

Are they hardish to touch?

Looks like young Ganoderma brackets of some kind

Check back to see if they have grown.

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

[ QUOTE ]
Venice High school, class of 67

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, small world!

They are hard-ish to the touch, Axe. There are quite a few of them. I've seen large Ganoderma brackets but none this small.
Thanks, guys!

 

[KyLimbwalker]

I don't think they look like Ganoderma. At first, I thought they looked like tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius)--but now, I don't think so. I'll keep looking.

 

[Brian]

You may have two things going on there

http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/fh_oak_mortality.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/Homegardens/hypoxylon.html

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

I didn't think they were Ganoderma at first, either. However, when I compare them to a large bracket I removed from a dead palm about 30' away from the oak, they look exactly like the first push of growth on the larger bracket.
I'll have to check out the Fomes...

 

[guymayor]

Yes the first push of growth on Ganoderma is a turdlike structure. You should see some white on it tho if it is ganoderma. Have you done resonance testing--tapping with mallet or hammer to listen for dead spots or hollows?

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

deja vu..I thought I already posted this reply, but...

I didn't see any white anything, anywhere on the specimens, nor have I done any resonance testing. We are due back on the property in 2 weeks and will put the smack down on the tree then.

How long does it take for a G bracket to reach, well, the size I am more familiar with...4"+??

 

[guymayor]

[ QUOTE ]

How long does it take for a G bracket to reach, well, the size I am more familiar with...4"+??

[/ QUOTE ]Depending on vitality of the pathogen and moisture levels etc I'd say 10-30 days.

We have mostly Ganoderma lucidum here in NC. Other species may not be as white.

Tapping and poking and probing can tell you a lot.

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

Finally got back on the property. Tapped and poked and prodded...tree's fine. The growths haven't grown at all. Still have no clue what they are and I've seen more fungus pictures than I care to shake a stick at.
Hey, it gives us a reason to set up monitoring, right?

 

[guymayor]

[ QUOTE ]

Hey, it gives us a reason to set up monitoring, right?

[/ QUOTE ]O yes one mushroom can sell an ongoing Plant Health Care program for the entire property!