A mushroom-like growth at the base of a tree trunk looks minor, but it's usually a sign of something happening well below the surface.
Those conks are fungal fruiting bodies, and their presence typically means active decay is already underway inside the root system or lower trunk.
By the time conks are visible, the decay has often been progressing for a while, which is why a tree that looks fine from a distance can still be a structural risk.
A trained eye can usually tell the difference between a cosmetic issue and a tree that needs a closer look before storm season puts more stress on it.
Have you spotted any mushroom-like growths at the base of trees on your property?
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Close-up photo of a fungal conk at the base of a tree trunk, or an arborist inspecting the root flare of a tree.
Canva text suggestion: "What a Conk at the Base of a Tree Really Means" or "Signs of Root Decay to Watch For"