WHAT STRANGE THING IS CONK (BRACKET FUNGUS)?
Conk, also called bracket fungus, is the fruiting body of a fungal disease that attacks mature woody plants. Wood rot takes place over years and is not usually a problem in the woods. Improved forestry management, better pruning techniques and harvesting younger trees has helped. There are several types of fungi that produce conks. White “mushrooms” or “seashells” appearing along the trunk or limbs is an indication of activity. When a brown “horse hoof protrudes from the trunk or limb of a mature tree, the fungi has already invaded the inner wood. The “horse hoof usually appears near a wound caused by insects, improper pruning, gouges by lawn mowers, lightening, etc. The closer to the ground the “horse hoof’ appears, the more likely there will be root damage. Without solid inner structure for support, the tree can fall! Heavy rain or high winds can be a factor. Airborne spores can spread the fungi to other plants. If the infected tree is near a home or building, it sho uld be cut down
