07/17/2024
These mushrooms are called 'Dead man's fingers!''
Dead man’s fingers is a fungal pathogen that grows in small towering groups of three to six mushrooms and resembles fingers coming out of the ground. Each “finger” is about 1-3cm in diameter and can be between 3-8cm tall. When the fungus is young, it has a white color. Over time, it will turn black. This fungus is a very weak pathogen that only attacks stressed trees. The rot associated with this fungus is a soft rot, but usually is not cause for concern.
Dead man’s fingers are typically found on or near the stumps of dead wood. Decaying beech, apple, maple, locust and elm trees are the most common to host this fungus. However, it can also invade ornamental trees and shrubs that are stressed by other factors.