Bur Oak developed big gash and now grows mushrooms on the trunk.

[FoxyTX]

Hello everyone,

New here and thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I have a grown Bur Oak tree that somehow developed a big gash in the trunk which is now growing mushrooms. What can I do? Is it dying? I would really like to keep it alive and healthy. Any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Slicksty6]

Mushrooms = rot. Best case looks like only half the tree has dead cambium. What does the crown look like?
I would seriously look at the risk this tree presents if it were to fail in that area and fall.

 

[FoxyTX]

Thanks for the reply. The crown still looks good, with no sign of any conks or mushrooms, or dried leaves. It is only here in the middle portion of the tree. I only noticed this gash and mushrooms this year so I know there is still hope for the tree, I think. I wish I could get it cut but I can not afford to lose shade during the hot summer months so I have to try and save it. Any best suggestions as to how?

 

[Del_]

A prime candidate for removal.

 

[FoxyTX]

A prime candidate for removal.

Understood. Any suggestions as to how I can stop this from happening to the rest of my trees?

 

[Del_]

Understood. Any suggestions as to how I can stop this from happening to the rest of my trees?

It's not contagious.

Likely started as a lightning strike a decade or more ago.

 

[FoxyTX]

It's not contagious.

Likely started as a lightning strike a decade or more ago.

Thank you for the replies.

 

[Clyde85]

It's not contagious.

Likely started as a lightning strike a decade or more ago.

I was going to say lightning as well.

 

[Huskybill]

I have a Chinese maple we’re the trunk has a gash the whole length of the trunk lighting hit it.