Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - October 04, 2009
From: Battle Creek, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Orange/yellow fungus on a dead oak
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a large dead oak tree which has an orange/yellow fungus growing at the base and also high on a spot where a branch had broken off. I've read a couple of things from the internet about this fungus but haven't found out about it being harmful to people or animals. And what about burning this wood once the tree is down? Can the fungus be removed and the wood used? If not,and if this is harmful,how do we dispose of it? If the wood is left lying around will it spread to other trees?ANSWER:
Your description of the fungus on your oak tree sounds like one of the sulphur fungi, Laetiporus sp. These are also called 'Chicken of the Woods.' The ones that would occur in Michigan on hardwoods are Laetiporus sulphureus or Laetiporus cincinnatus. Laetiporus gilbertsonii grows on hardwoods along the West Coast. There are also ones that grow on conifers—Laetiporus huroniensis in the Great Lakes Area and Laetiporus conifericola on the West Coast. They are apparently edible and delicious when cooked and eaten when they are young and tender. They are reputed to taste like chicken. However, we would NOT recommend eating any mushroom unless it was identified and declared by a mushroom expert as completely safe to eat.By the time you see the yellow/orange mushroom (the fruiting body that produces spores) growing on the outside, the health of the tree has been pretty severely compromised by the mycelium of the fungus growing inside the tree. This particular mushroom causes the heartwood to rot. Probably the wood of this dead tree is not useful for much except as firewood. Burning the wood should be a safe way to dispose of it. The heat of the fire should destroy any spores and the fungus growing in the wood. It has probably already shed its spores and they will create new growths of the fungus when they encounter the proper conditions. The way to protect other trees from this fungus is to avoid injury to the tree that would allow the fungus to enter. Aging trees with broken limbs and large open wounds are very susceptible to fungus infection.
Now, that being said, since we can't see it we don't know for sure if this is the mushroom that is growing on your oak tree. If this doesn't look like your fungus, you can send us photos and we will try to identify it. Please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page to read instructions for submitting photos.
More Edible Plants Questions
Sap of mulberry similar to sap of maple for syrup from Wellman IA
February 23, 2012 - Can the the sap of the mulberry tree be used to make syrup similar to maple Syrup?
view the full question and answer
Edible plants in northeastern Ohio
February 12, 2009 - I am doing a project and i was wondering what are five native edible plants to the northeastern Ohio region. Also if you could tell the seasons they are available. Thank You,
view the full question and answer
Identification of tree with strawberry-like fruit in North Carolina
September 24, 2011 - While visiting Boone, North Carolina we walked the Greenway in town. There were a few trees with a round red fruit similar to a strawberry. They were about the size of a penny and a dull red color dot...
view the full question and answer
Recipe for cherry jelly from wild black cherry tree in Tennessee
July 02, 2008 - I think that we have a wild black cherry tree on our farm. I understand that the fruit is edible. Do you have a recipe for jelly or any other food product using this fruit?
view the full question and answer
Growing Chile Pequin Indoors
December 09, 2015 - About a year ago I visited your page and as a result I planted 8 seeds in spring 2015 from a large Chile Pequin plant that came up wild in my Cedar Park home near Austin. The last harvest was late su...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |