Need help with fungus ID

[cmw]

What is this stuff? One local arborist thinks it is Phytophthora. It is on the lower trunk of x Cupressocyparis leylandii and Juniperus chinensis.

P. lateralis has been killing Port Orfords nearby, but I don't think this is the same.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[cmw]

Another

 

[cmw]

one more

Maybe another Phytophthora sp?

 

[guymayor]

peel it off; looks like a bark saprophyte

 

[cmw]

A few experts have looked at the trees and one believes it is Coniophora puteana.

Anyone have experience with this fungus?

 

[KTSmith]

Definitely *not* Phytophthora.

Although the photos are might pixellated on my screen, it does look like C. puteana, but that's pretty unlikely. Could be, I suppose. The "cellar fungus" is not often encountered on living trees and is more likely to be found on joists or sills...in the cellar.

It does look like it could be in the Corticium family (the same one that C. puteana is in). The true experts in the Corticiaceae wouldn't try to give a name based on a photo, I'm afraid!

I don't know enough about what hits ornamental trees in the PNW!

 

[cmw]

Thanks Guy and KTS,

I found some interesting fruiting bodies at the base of the Juniperus. They look like insect eggs, but dry and filled with black powder (spores?). I'll get a photo up soon.

Chris