The fungi looks like half of a clamshel open side down colonizing verticaly crown to base Tree's are in groups in differant areas .Range in size from 4"-30". Bark seems to slip from crown down. Fungi is not affecting White oaks.
Extension
Message
From:
Jay Hayek
Extension Specialist, Forestry
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Greetings Joe:
Sounds like wood decay/heart rot to me, a fungal infection. The clamshell fungi is called a "conk" and it is very common.
Unfortunately, there are no practical treatment options for wood decay or heart rot.
