Old Oak's Associates

[guymayor]

Images from a very old oak. It's in steep decline, and I don't think that's due to a biotic pest. But still looking for thoughts on these.

 

[oldoakman]

Your thread title could be construed to have a negative impact on my screen name sir.

 

[guymayor]

What is wrong with associates?

 

[guymayor]

This white mycelial fan was found 15'+ above ground on a steeply declining white oak. It smells like fresh mushrooms. Could it be anything but Armillaria? No signs were found at the base, but the search was not extensive.

 

[oldoakman]

What is wrong with associates?

Everyone will think I associate with a bunch of old smelly fungi and such. I'm not that old!

 

[treehumper]

I sent you a pic from today. The rest of the leaves have turned.

 

[KTSmith]

Thanks Guy, those do look like Armillaria mycelial fans with some prominent aggregated hyphae and some thinner strands. Are there any rhizomorphs that are evident? I think of Armillaria fans as being lower on the butt log while I've seen rhizomorphs go up quite high. I think that to presume it to be Armillaria is defensible. Now, someone may say that a cultural or molecular test is in order, but I think that going on these macro characters is OK in this case.

 

[guymayor]

I hear ya Kevin; thanks!