Conks on Stem or Roots

From Bugwoodwiki

Hagle, S.K; S. Tunnock; K.E. Gibson; and C.J. Gilligan. 1987. Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. State and Private Forestry, Northern Region. Missoula, Montana. Reprint 1990. Publication Number R1-89-54.

1 Conk present --- 2

1’ Conk not present --- 14

2 Conks white or cream colored, not brown --- 3

2’ Conks dark, at least on upper surface --- 5

3 Conks usually large (at least 6 inches), chalky consistency, columnar --- Quinine Conk

3’ Conks smaller, rounded --- 4

4 Conks leathery, 1-2 inches, hollow airspace in center --- Pouch Fungus See also item in this key: Bark Beetles

4’ Conks with definite corky consistency usually on dead trees or dead parts of trees --- Red belt Fungus

5 Conks with white or cream lower surface --- 6

5’ Gray, brown, yellow or green lower surface --- 7

6 Conks with corky consistency, thick shelf or hoof-shaped, cream-colored lower surface has small pores, upper surface gray to brown with red band near margin. Usually produced on dead trees or dead parts of trees --- Red belt Fungus

6’ Conks woody, thin, under surface cream colored with small pores, usually with gray or brown margin and gray or brown upper surface. Usually on roots or stumps --- Annosus Root Disease

7 Conks shelving or hoof-shaped --- 8

7’ Conks flat on bark of tree (resupinate) or upright with stem (stipe) --- 11

8 Conks woody, hard --- 9

8’ Conks spongy, leathery but not hard --- 10

9 Lower surface gray or brown with downward projecting "teeth". Conks woody with dark upper surface and distinctive orange-red interior --- Indian Paint Fungus

9’ Lower surface poroid, tan to cinnamon brown. Woody conks with brown upper surface --- Pini or Red Ring Rot

10 Stipe may be absent when growing on wood. Upper surface brown velvety; lower surface poroid, yellow or green when fresh, brown with age. Spongy to somewhat leathery when fresh, friable with age --- Schweinitzii Root and Butt Rot

10’ Stipe may be absent or off center when growing on wood. Leathery conks, usually 2-5 inches, thin. Upper surface velvety, golden brown to rust brown. Lower surface tan, becoming brown with age --- Tomentosus Root Rot

11 Conk flat pore layer (resupinate) on bark --- 12

11’ Conk upright on stipe with pored undersurface --- 13

12 Tan to cinnamon brown color pore layer, hard, woody, on bark of stem --- Pini or Red Ring Rot

12’ Cinnamon to brown, friable, easily broken, on bark of roots or butt (conks uncommon) --- On cedar: Cedar Laminated Butt Rot, On other species: Laminated Root Rot

13 Conks usually at least 6 inches diameter, thick stipe, cap with multiple tiers. Upper surface brown, velvety, with concentric growth rings. Lower surface poroid, green or yellow when fresh turning brown with age. Texture spongy, becoming friable, delicate with age --- Schweinitzii Root and Butt Rot

13’ Conks smaller 2-5 inches diameter, thin cap, with stipe. Upper surface velvety, tan to yellow brown becoming brown with age. Root disease of lodgepole pine or Englemann spruce --- Tomentosus Root Rot

14 Punk knots and/or stem decay --- Stem Decay

14’ Other symptoms or signs --- Cankers & Other Stem Damages