Why Do Fungi Grow on Trees in Burton?

If you’ve noticed mushrooms growing on your tree or popping up around the yard, you might be wondering what’s going on. The short answer? Fungi are after one thing — food.

Just like people, fungi need energy to live. While we get ours from what we eat, fungi get theirs from wood. Trees are mostly made of carbon, water, and oxygen, stored in strong materials called cellulose and lignin. Lignin is what makes a tree sturdy enough to stand up through Michigan’s heavy snow and strong winds. When fungi show up, they’re trying to tap into that stored energy for themselves.

How Fungi Feed on Trees

Fungi don’t chew or bite — they use special enzymes to break down tough wood fibers and turn them into nutrients. The fuzzy network that does all this work is called mycelium. That’s the real body of the fungus, usually hidden inside the tree or underground.

When the fungus is ready to reproduce, it grows mushrooms — the visible part that releases spores into the air. Those spores can land on another tree and start the process all over again.

Can Trees Protect Themselves?

Healthy trees can usually hold their own. A strong tree’s bark works like skin, blocking fungi and other invaders from getting inside.

But here in Burton, trees go through a lot — road salt, compacted soil, storms, lawnmower damage to bark, and construction damage to tree roots. When bark gets damaged, it opens the door for fungi to sneak in. The good news is that if a tree is healthy, it can often fight back by sealing off the affected area before the infection spreads too far.

What Kind of Fungi Might Be on Your Tree?

Those mushrooms you see could come from a type of fungus called basidiomycetes. That’s just a fancy name for a large group of fungi that includes:

• Saprophytes – Feed only on dead wood and help recycle nutrients back into the soil.
• Parasites – Feed on living wood, which can weaken or even kill a tree.
• Saprophytic parasites – Start on dead wood but can spread into living tissue later.
• Beneficial fungi – Actually help your tree grow stronger by improving root health.

Saprophytic Fungi – Nature’s Recyclers

These harmless fungi break down dead trees, fallen branches, and leaves. They’re nature’s cleanup crew. If they grow inside older trees with hollow sections, they usually don’t pose a problem. It’s possible for a tree to be hollow but still strong enough to stand — kind of like a house with open rooms inside but sturdy walls.

If you’re unsure whether your tree is still structurally safe, an ISA Certified Arborist can check your tree and let you know.

Parasitic Fungi – The Tree Feeders

These fungi go after the living parts of the tree, especially the layer under the bark that moves water and nutrients around (called the cambium). Once that gets infected, the tree can go downhill fast. The tricky thing is you might not see mushrooms right away — sometimes a tree looks fine until it suddenly weakens or breaks.

Saprophytic Parasites – A Bit of Both

Some fungi start off feeding on dead wood but later spread to healthy tissue. You’ll often see large shelf-like mushrooms at the base of the trunk. These are a sign that it’s time to get the tree checked out before winter storms or high winds hit.

Beneficial Fungi – The Tree’s Helpers

Not all fungi are bad news. Mycorrhizal fungi actually help trees by connecting with their roots and bringing them nutrients from the soil in exchange for sugars. When these fungi are around, trees tend to grow stronger and resist stress better.

In cities like Burton, the soil can lose good fungi due to construction, pollution, roadwork, or compacted soil. Many local tree companies add mycorrhizal fungi during deep root fertilization to give struggling trees a boost.

What To Do If You See Fungi on Your Tree

If you spot mushrooms or other fungal growth, don’t panic — and don’t cut the tree down just yet. Call a local ISA Certified Arborist who knows the trees and conditions in Genesee County. They can identify the fungus, check for internal decay, and figure out whether your tree can be treated or safely left standing.

Sometimes arborists use tools like a Resistograph which can measure how solid the wood is inside without damaging the tree.

Remember, trees are valuable — they keep your yard cool in the summer, block winter winds, and raise your property value. Keeping them healthy helps the whole neighborhood. A little fungal growth doesn’t always spell disaster, but it does mean it’s time for a professional opinion. To set up a tree inspection for your property send us a message or give us a call today at 800-724-6680.