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Root & Butt Rots of Oak (IL)

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From: Margie C. City: River Forest, IL
Our 80+ year old white oak (possibly swamp white oak) has a large fungus at its base on the northeast side. It started about 3 years ago, but we broke it off each summer. In 2008 the Des Plaines River flooded our yard, and in 1998 a professional landscaper installed 3 dogwood trees, 2 - 4 bushes, perennials and groundcover over its root zone. What is the fungus and how should we treat it?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Margie: Without high-resolution digital photos of this fungus, please utilize the following excellent resource from North Carolina State University Extension: Root and Butt Rots of Oaks: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/odin30/od30.htm#arm Treatment: Your best bet is to contact a certified arborist in order to (1) evaluate the condition of the tree, and (2) discuss your options for treatment, if any, or removal if the tree's integrity has been compromised. IL Certified Arborists: http://www.illinoisarborist.org/CertifiedArboristsNew.htm
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