Fir tree fungi’s - Ask Extension
60 foot fir tree has loose bark and this fungi’s growing on the bark. Can you identify or tell me where to have it tested?
Knowledgebase
Fir tree fungi’s #858261
Asked February 01, 2024, 11:36 AM EST
60 foot fir tree has loose bark and this fungi’s growing on the bark. Can you identify or tell me where to have it tested?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
That looks like Porodaedalia (Phellinus) pini. Cause of conk rot of Douglas fir. Also called white speck or red ring rot.
Causes a heartrot of live Douglas-fir. a conk can indicate significant rot, but it is really hard to know how much rot is present. One conk may not mean much, but multiple conks can indicate substantial decay.
Was this emerging at a old branch stob/scar? That is where we typically see these conks on the trunk of the tree.
If you google Phellinus (or Porodaedalia) pini and click on images, you should be able to identify it. If you break that conk you have in half, the interior of the conk will be cinnamon color.
To have the identification of this conk confirmed, you can send it to the OSU Plant Clinic: https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic
You may want to discuss this with an arborist. A conk on a live tree is an indicator that there is decay in the tree, just how much decay is very difficult to know.
Causes a heartrot of live Douglas-fir. a conk can indicate significant rot, but it is really hard to know how much rot is present. One conk may not mean much, but multiple conks can indicate substantial decay.
Was this emerging at a old branch stob/scar? That is where we typically see these conks on the trunk of the tree.
If you google Phellinus (or Porodaedalia) pini and click on images, you should be able to identify it. If you break that conk you have in half, the interior of the conk will be cinnamon color.
To have the identification of this conk confirmed, you can send it to the OSU Plant Clinic: https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic
You may want to discuss this with an arborist. A conk on a live tree is an indicator that there is decay in the tree, just how much decay is very difficult to know.
