Additional pics of fungus

Underside

I am not a fungologist (lol) but it looks like some sort of shelf fungus maybe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracket_fungus

There are hundreds of different bracket fungi and different species colonize different trees. ID the tree and we might get closer to ID'ing the fungi.

And while the tree may look healthy, it is not. Bracket fungi are the visible signs of interior heartwood rot.

The loggers around here call them 'Conks'. I have no idea why.
Mostly found on older Hemlocks that are on their way out. They call it heart rot also.
Mike

the rot inside.. is a function of the gaping crack in the first pic ... or what looks like one at about 1 o'clock on the pic ...

and when we say.. the tree is dying.. understand .. since i have a feeling that you are teaching others ... that it is dying in tree years...

and God forbid.. it might collapse in a decade or two .... or three .. or tomorrow.. if the crack has already been there for two decades ...

and being in what looks like a forest.. who cares.. we arent even certain it will make a sound.. when it falls .... if no one is there .. lol ...

or.. it could fall over tomorrow... dont camp next to it ... and if overhanging the cottage ... you might want a professional certified arborist to eyeball it ....

ken

Thanks all,

Will get the tree type sorted out to try and narrow this down.

There is no major crack in the tree, that is just the bark.

This tree is part of a high ropes course that I inspect and had noticed the fungi and am very concerned about the continued use of the tree. Recommended an arborist inspection but would like to have all my facts in place to require the inspection if it has not been performed.