Tree Fungus Killing Tree

amg32man

I am not sure what type of tree it is. Last year I noticed that the leaves were turning brown and falling midsummer. The tree had no leaves within a month or two. After all the leaves were gone the tree started to grow new leafs sporadically on the limbs. The leaves would be there for a few weeks, turn brown, then fall to the ground. I thought the tree was dead. This year leaves came back on some of the limbs but other limbs were dead. At the base of the tree there is a white fungus. The only other place if have found the fungus is on a root nearby. The roots are shallow I assume due to erosion of the soil. I am trying to find out how I can bring the tree back to life. I have a feeling the fungus is killing the tree. What chemical can I buy to get rid of the fungus and will that bring the tree back to life? Thanks

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Eric Frei

Basal decay, roots rotted = unstable tree.

I think it's too late.

You can try fungicides but the white stuff you see is the fruiting body, the fungi is inside infecting the vascular system.

Very hard to fix, you need to ID the fungi.

Maybe copper based fungicide will help, maybe phosphorous acid fungicide will help?

Either way, there's a reason for the infection, you still need to conquer that too.

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amg32man

That is what I thought. I figured the tree was too far gone. So based on what your saying, something is causing that fungus situation. If i cut the tree down and plant another one whatever was causing it will just kill the next one planted.

Eric Frei

The vague answer is, it may.

Some fungi transfer via roots and do not need a wound to enter the tree, others need a wound.

Often soil is excavated to make sure.

Where excavation is impossible then fumigation, again depends on the fungal strain.

Check soil pH, sometimes that can be out of whack creating issues.

Often changing the replant species is wise to, go for something more resistant to fungal attack.

I cannot help much more, really need to be there and make some assessments, I have just given a broad spectrum view.

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amg32man

You have been more than helpful. I am going to let the tree "grow" this year and see what happens next year. I am rather sure it will get worse so I will then cut the tree down and try to uproot it. It's a 13 year old tree and it is not looking like it will make it. I knew about it a year or two ago and didn't take the steps to solve the problem so now I have to start over. Thank you very much for all the informaiton. Again, you have been more than helpful!

Brent Ferris

I agree with Ekka's assessment. Better to cut the tree down this year, get fungus identified -- see if it attacks singular families or is broad based, and when want to replant, plant away from this spot, and at least from a different family. If it is a broad based fungus, need to address that issue first.
Waiting another year, will give more time for the fungus to become better established, and become harder to treat.

Jeroen Shiran

This tree is too far gone and probably poses a safety issue at this point. Remove it. However, I must disagree with the fungicide treatment. We have enough chemicals wreaking havoc as it is. It's better to identify the fungi and plant something that doesn't get affected by it.

Let's not forget that trees come from forests where there is fungi present all the time. The strong trees win, and the weak die. A weak tree dying does not justify the use of chemicals. Also there might be underlying causes that weakened the tree to begin with. Focus on the possible problems not the symptoms.