Is this oak sick?

Question

I have an oak that presents many ants on its bark, and I feel that its bark looks sick (even though I'm not an expert, so it's just a feeling). Furthermore, there is a big fungus at the trunk's base. Here are some images:

Here are three photos of the bark:

And here's a photo of the fungus:

Is this oak sick? If so, what can I do in order to treat it?

UPDATE

Here are other photos of the fungus:

Can you take pictures at other angles so we can see what fungi it is? — black thumb, Jul 24 '18 at 04:34
Sure, I'll upload other photos of the fungus as soon as possible. — mark247m, Jul 24 '18 at 13:49
What about the underside? so we can identify the specific type of mushroom you have, and tell you if it's edible or not? — black thumb, Jul 24 '18 at 16:16
The fungus is very close to ground, so I had an hard time on taking a photo of the underside. The best result I was able to get about the underside is in the third last photo. — mark247m, Jul 24 '18 at 21:49

Bamboo · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-24T11:59:59.917

3

I'd strongly advise you to call an arborist to inspect the tree - that fungal growth might be evidence of foot and butt rot, and if it is, the tree may either be unsafe already, or will become so in fairly short order. Given the tree's proximity to a building, I wouldn't wait any time at all before getting it checked out. If it is foot and butt rot, by the time a fruiting body appears, it's usually already too late, but sometimes trees can remain stable with this infection for a year or three.

UPDATE

Finally, I've found images of Ganoderma that are similar to the growth on your tree. I think this fungus is Ganoderma lucidum, which is associated with foot and butt rot, scroll down to the picture on the left showing an oak with this fungus http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/rot/ganoderma-root.aspx

edited Jul 24 '18 at 11:59

answered Jul 23 '18 at 22:22

Bamboo

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some fungi that help trees also grow at the base of them. – black thumb Jul 24 '18 at 04:33
1

@blackthumb if you are talking about symbiosis where mycelium and roots intertwine in the ground, yes. Growth like this, no. – Stephie Jul 24 '18 at 09:12
i'm talking about fruiting symbiotic mushrooms – black thumb Jul 24 '18 at 11:58

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Jul 24 '18 at 12:00

If it is, as it seems to me, a Fistulina Hepatica, this fungus does not mean your tree is sick.

The species is fairly common, and can often be found on oaks and sweet chestnut, from August to the end of autumn, on either living or dead wood. It has a tendency to impart a reddish-brown stain to the living wood of oaks, creating a desirable timber type _{From Wikipedia}

The rot caused by Fistulina on oaks does not affect the strength of the wood, so it is appreciable as cabinetwork for wood workers because of the nice wood coloring it gaves.

About the wound in the middle of the trunk, it looks completely healed, so probably no harm here either.

Anyway, if you can take some professional advice this is always better.

The fungus you mention, growing on an oak, often causes brown rot, as mentioned in the link you provided. That will kill the tree... — Bamboo, Jul 24 '18 at 11:24

Is this oak sick?

2 Answers2