Tree and Snow Removal Service

10 Mushrooms that Grow on Trees Can Cause Trouble in Yards

Mushrooms that Grow on Trees Can Cause Trouble

Mushrooms on trees or polypores. Sometimes can trick your eyes because of its strange and unique beauty in shape and colors. But most mushrooms attack and affect your trees, causing big trouble; if you have fungi (a type of mushroom) growing on your tree is a signal that your tree is unwell.

10 Most Common Mushrooms that Grow on Trees

Mushrooms that grow on trees are commonly found on living or dead plants in many shapes and forms. We will mention ten species within over one thousand types. They look impressive, but fungi are parasitic, which is usually not a good sign.

10 Most Common Mushrooms that Grow on Trees

  1. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
  2. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
  3. Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
  4. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
  5. Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
  6. Chicken Of The Woods (Laetiporus Sulphureus)
  7. Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina Hepatica)
  8. Hen-of-the-wood (Grifola Frondosa)
  9. Honey Mushroom (Armillaria Mellea)
  10. Northern Tooth (Climacodon Septentrionale)

1. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi is a type of mushroom with a distinctive red or brown color and glossy, lacquered appearance that grows on the trunk and branches of some of our country’s most common hardwood trees, like maple and oaks. The positive information about reishi mushrooms is that Chinese medicine has used this fungus (for centuries). Reishi mushrooms are also used in soups and teas medicinally.

But what we need to transfer to you in this article, is the knowledge and the facts. Ganoderma weaks trees impacting their structure and turning them vulnerable to intense storms or winds so trees can uproot.

2. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor)

The colorful, fan-like shape, which resembles the tail feathers of a wild turkey, gives the name of the turkey tail mushroom. Trametes Versicolor commonly grows on dead or decaying oak, birch, and beech trees.

Studies show that turkey tail mushrooms have potential anti-cancer properties. They contain polysaccharopeptides, which stimulate the immune system and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. And it is suitable for colds, flu, and digestive problems treatments.

Sadly, the compounds in this fungus are not friends with your trees. Turkey tail can destroy any tree internally, and when the infestation is extensive, your tree may be at high risk of failure, and removal will be the option. In this case, you need to contact our local experts at Tree and Snow Removal Services so they will give you options available if mushrooms are growing on trees.

3. Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)

Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)

The artist’s conk mushroom grows in a shelf-like shape on the sides of trees. It is easy to identify due to their particular design.

Medicinal properties allow its use for respiratory problems, inflammation, and high blood pressure.

But, The decay will be extensive, making the tree prone to failure.

4. Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s mane mushrooms have an attractive appearance as a shaggy. They grow on dead or dying hardwood trees.

But attractiveness is just one of its characteristics. It has a delicate flavor that allows its use in cooking as a meat substitute.

Its healthy fact is the benefit that provides promoting nerve growth and improves cognitive function.

Unfortunately, hericium erinaceus is a parasite that attacks and kills living trees.

5. Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Oyster mushrooms grow, often in large numbers, in the collection of dead or dying tree groups.

Its popularity in vegetarian and vegan dishes makes oyster mushrooms one of the most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world.

But their benefits seem non-stop. It has potential health benefits helping to lower cholesterol and improve immune function.

These fungi can stress trees. They don’t kill healthy and vigorous trees, however, stressed trees die when the oyster mushroom spores invade them.

6. Chicken Of The Woods (Laetiporus Sulphureus)

Chicken Of The Woods (Laetiporus Sulphureus)

Its popularity is known as a crab of the woods. But its common name comes from a simple reason; this mushroom has a similar flavor to chicken.

The damage in trees causes rot to the heartwood.

7. Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina Hepatica)

This non-toxic and particular fungus with a prominent red-to-brown tongue appearance, similar to the meat color, grows on living and dead trees.

It can cause brown rot to the trees, they can grow on every kind of species, but it likes to be in oaks and sweet chestnuts.

8. Hen-of-the-wood (Grifola Frondosa)

Hen-of-the-wood is a weak parasite of tree roots that grow at the base of the trees and appears in the same place for the first time in several years.

Its particular characteristic is to get nutrients from the living roots. It can cause some damage to the trees, but it does not kill trees like other fungi.

9. Honey Mushroom (Armillaria Mellea)

Honey Mushroom (Armillaria Mellea)

They are also known as stump mushroom grows typically in a dense bunch of living or dead trees and stump bases, also in decomposing wood.

They are considered parasitic and saprophytic; honey mushroom gets their food from or at the expense of their host. It obtains food by absorbing dissolved organic material, especially organic breakdown, and decay.

Armillaria mellea attacks and kills perennial plant roots to decay the dead wood. It is the most destructive fungal disease.

10. Northern Tooth (Climacodon Septentrionale)

This fungus grows on hardwood trees and stumps or recently cut tree trunks.

Northern tooth causes duramen to rot in the trees where they live, compromising the tree s structural stability.

Poisonous Mushrooms that Grow on Trees Can Kill Them?

Mushrooms play an essential role in the ecosystem giving balance, but you can never cure tree mushrooms. Several varieties are severe pathogens of plantation trees and are significant causes of wood spoilage.

In Conclusion

Mushrooms that grow on trees are important organisms to maintain equilibrium in an ecosystem.

The positive fact is that some are excellent alternatives to health problems and can result in excellent medical options. But you need to know that FDA has not approved its use in medicine.

Stay tuned and wait for our following blog posts. We love to share our advice with you and serve you.