Texas Red Oak with Trunk Decay Fungus

A Texas red oak shows peeling bark with whitish mushroom-like growths at mid-trunk. This indicates a decay fungus—the mushrooms are its fruiting bodies. The fungus enters through wounds and slowly hollows the tree over many years, but it does not affect the living cambium layer under the bark. Tree health is generally unaffected until structural weakness leads to limb breakage. No fungicide controls decay; instead, maintain vigor with 10-10-10 fertilizer (1 lb per inch of trunk diameter, scattered and watered in) every other year.

Management

• Do not attempt to remove conks or fill cavities.
• Monitor for structural hazards.
• Promote tree health through proper watering and fertilization.