Fungus on Lilac tree

[Cub]

Hello,

I have a lilac tree in my garden that I've known since I was a kid. It's at least 40 years old, but this year I've noticed some fungus on the bark. The affected areas are quite isolated and it's mainly affecting one branch. Any ideas what it could be? I'm so worried about my tree. I've attached some pictures.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Sheal]

Welcome to the forum Cub.

@zigs may be able to help with this but I think it may be a form of honey fungus which tends to grow on dead or dying trees or rotting wood. The branch that it's growing on does look as if it's dying. Lilac's unfortunately aren't trees that have a long life.

 

[Cub]

Hello Sheal, thank you!

I've posted pictures on another forum and there's been a few suggestions that it's a type of bracket fungi? I'm fairly new to tree care (having taken over care of this one from my mam) so any and all comments and advice are welcome! I'm hoping this isn't the end for her...

 

[Sheal]

If the branch isn't producing any foliage then it's almost certainly dead. Not being able to see the whole tree in your pictures would it be possible to remove it?

 

[Cub]

Even with the fungi, she's still setting buds on the affected branch and its still really sturdy, so perhaps all the heartwood hasn't gone yet? I'm inclined to leave her be for now and see how she does this Spring/Summer...

 

[Sheal]

Yes, a wise decision.

 

[zigs]

Sorry, late off the mark, been down with Flu

Yes, its a bracket fungus. Probably a symptom of the branch being dead rather than the reason for it.

Cut off the dead wood and the rest should be fine

 

[DirtMechanic]

January is a good time for us to spray dormant sprays on our trees to help fend off spring attacks. Perhaps the same is true in your area?

 

[Chelsea Frold]

Thanks for the help Zigs, this is fun to learn new things like this. Our house has oak wilt killing through our entire property.. and that's what has brought me to this forum to help.

 

[zigs]

My pleasure, welcome to the forum BTW

 

[Chelsea Frold]

My pleasure, welcome to the forum BTW

(giggling) "Hi!"

 

[Sheal]

Sorry, late off the mark, been down with Flu

@zigs are you and @Tetters still battling with that? I hope you both fell better soon.

 

[zigs]

@zigs are you and @Tetters still battling with that? I hope you both fell better soon.

It's dragged on and on and on

Feeling better today ta

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for the help Zigs, this is fun to learn new things like this. Our house has oak wilt killing through our entire property.. and that's what has brought me to this forum to help.

where I live and in the surrounding counties oak wilt is a MAJOR problem. ALL oak trees can be affected but red oak and pin oak are the most succeptible with live oak coming in a close second. Once a tree has oak wilt it is usually fatal but not always. Howard Garret is the most knowledgeable about curing and preventing oak wilt. Click on the following link and search oak wilt.

The Dirt Doctor

Howard Garrett is one of the leaders in the research, education and promotion of natural organic gardening, landscaping, pet health and pest control and how to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Howard’s radio show can be heard LIVE from 8 - 11am CST on Sundays in over 200 markets across the nation...

www.dirtdoctor.com

 

[DirtMechanic]

This is what I have been reading about:

"Propiconazole is a systemic fungicide widely recognized as the leading treatment for Oak Wilt. Propizol will stop or inhibit the spread of Oak Wilt and allow the infected tree to recover. Applied pro-actively, Propizol can prevent infection."

Here is a pdf file:

PDF LINK

This is gonna cost me a few bucks. Glad ya'll brought it up though, I had no idea it was coming so thank you thank you! My reading in this subject also led me to an article about an encroaching Oak Bot Canker with similiar lethal tendencies approach us from Florida.