trees dying from white fungus - Ask Extension
My lot is wooded. I have at least 5 trees with white patches on the branches and trunk bark of the tree. They also have sections on their trunks where...
Knowledgebase
trees dying from white fungus #392488
Asked April 07, 2017, 5:27 PM EDT
My lot is wooded. I have at least 5 trees with white patches on the branches and trunk bark of the tree. They also have sections on their trunks where the tree has swollen too fast for bark to grow plus areas of black bark. Each year the white patches are worse and on my sugar maple the white patches have spread to the top of the tree and now tips of branches. What should I do? There is no one in central MN to treat sick trees. Thanks. PS...I've also had mushrooms sprouting.
Stearns County Minnesota
Expert Response
So far as we can tell, the photos do not show anything alarming. If some of the trees are dying, asking a certified arborist to inspect the trees onsite is the best way to find out what's causing the problem and how to correct it. The following bulletin explains how to find a reliable tree care professional to help you. Several should be available in Stearns County.
How to hire a professional arborist to help care for your landscape trees
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/how-to-hire-a-professional-arborist/
Although the photos show white spots on the tree trunks, most of these are lichens. Lichens are harmless and do not affect the trees' health. Go here to learn about them:
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1205/
A white crust fungus is also present on some branches. These fungi grow on dead or dying wood. The affected branches my have been damaged by insects, disease or unfavorable growing conditions. The presence of a few dead branches might or might not indicate that a tree is dying. A certified arborist will be able to determine whether this is a cause for concern.
Learn more here:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/wood-decay/
Similarly, cracks in tree trunks may or may not be evidence of damage or poor health. (Growth cracks are a normal occurrence.) Go here to learn about some things that cause tree bark cracks.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/frost-cracks-sunscald-growth-cracks-trees-and-shrubs
How to hire a professional arborist to help care for your landscape trees
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/how-to-hire-a-professional-arborist/
Although the photos show white spots on the tree trunks, most of these are lichens. Lichens are harmless and do not affect the trees' health. Go here to learn about them:
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1205/
A white crust fungus is also present on some branches. These fungi grow on dead or dying wood. The affected branches my have been damaged by insects, disease or unfavorable growing conditions. The presence of a few dead branches might or might not indicate that a tree is dying. A certified arborist will be able to determine whether this is a cause for concern.
Learn more here:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/wood-decay/
Similarly, cracks in tree trunks may or may not be evidence of damage or poor health. (Growth cracks are a normal occurrence.) Go here to learn about some things that cause tree bark cracks.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/frost-cracks-sunscald-growth-cracks-trees-and-shrubs
