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Corkscrew Willow with Fungal Fruiting Bodies: Tree Failure Imminent

Diagnosis

The "golf ball" clusters pushing bark off are fungal fruiting bodies (conks/mushrooms) of an internal wood decay fungus. This indicates advanced internal rot—the fungus has been digesting structural wood for years.

Prognosis

Tree will fail—structural integrity is compromised.
Remove promptly before it falls on structures/people.
Oaks are safe—most wood decay fungi are host-specific; this pathogen won't jump to oaks.

Why "Aliens" Are Accurate

These fungal structures are the reproductive stage—releasing millions of spores. The tree is being consumed from inside out.

Action

Hire a certified arborist for removal. Do not delay. The 20-year-old willow has served its lifespan; corkscrew willows are relatively short-lived and decay-prone.

Trees: Woodpecker Damage and Borer Infestation in Willow Trees; Sycamore Black Bark Under Peeling: Fungal Vascular Disease and Extension Testing; Borers in Weeping Willow: Signs and Management; Weeping Willow Decline: Black Trunk, Holes, and Yellowing Leaves; Sapsucker Bird Damage on Curly Willow: Not an Insect Problem; Corkscrew Willow No Leaves: Likely Dead, Check for Green Cambium; Weeping Willow Borer Infestation: Identification and Treatment; Willow Oak with Black Bark and Yellowing Leaves: Fertilization and Mold Check; Why Girdling a Tree Branch Kills It; Tree Bark Damage from Animals: Assessment and Recovery

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