U of M Gardening Information: What's wrong with my plant?

Fir > Trunk/Branches > Fungi growing on trunk or branches

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Infected trees have reduced growth, dead branches in the upper canopy, browning needles, may produce an abundant crop of cones and eventually die
Flat white sheets of fungal growth (mycelial fans) between the bark and sapwood at the base of infected trees
Thick, black shoestring-like fungus can sometimes be seen under the bark at the root collar and in the soil near the base of the tree
The base of the tree just below the soil surface may be encrusted in resin
Wood is decayed, white, soft and spongy, beginning with the roots and may extend from the base of the tree well up into the trunk
Trees frequently break or fall over in storms
Clusters of honey-colored mushrooms may grow at the base of the tree in fall
More information on Armillaria root rot...

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Slow growth, thin canopy and discolored needles in severely infected trees
Infection causes decay of heartwood in trunk and roots
Decaying wood has brown, cubical rot
Affected trees are often scattered, not adjacent
Infected trees frequently break or lodge in storms
10"-12" fungal conks on trunk or several feet away from tree, velvety dark brown above and porous, light brown underneath
Most conifers are susceptible
More information on Brown Root and Butt Rot...