Fungus on pin tree? - Ask Extension
We had a pine tree that was 30 years old. It developed some sort of disease and we finally had to replace it. For years I grew hibiscus around the bot...
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Fungus on pin tree? #823795
Asked March 29, 2023, 8:11 AM EDT
We had a pine tree that was 30 years old. It developed some sort of disease and we finally had to replace it. For years I grew hibiscus around the bottom.
Now the new, probably two year old, pine tree has developed some sort of "fungus" at the base. Can you suggest how to get rid of it. Could there be something wrong with soil?
Harris County Texas
Expert Response
This curious organism growing at the base of your pine tree is called a slime mold. There are many different kinds of slime molds, but they are all saprophytic - they live on dead substrates. They commonly spread into your planting on commercial mulch, and will appear when the mulch is wetted by rain or irrigation water. They do absolutely no harm to the tree and can be washed away with a hose if you find them objectionable. You may even be able to remove the mold with a broom.
No other measures are needed to deal with slime molds. You do not indicate that the tree seems to be in any stress or is expressing any symptoms, so I will assume it is healthy.
