this is one of the foamy fungus things on the base of the tree

Usually a fungus like that isn't what kills the tree. It shows up after it's already dying.

I could be wrong, though.

There are fungii potentially causing tree death and ganoderma is one of them. I don't know if this is it, but it looks suspicious.

The mushroom is not the cause but it is a symptom.....usually these appear when a tree is suffering from some sort of heartwood rot, in itself a type of fungal disease. And most often one that is fatal.

Based on your photo, I'd say your tree was dead or very close to it. It is probably worth your while to have a certified arborist familiar with tree issues and hazard assessment come take a look at it. I think removal may be your best option at this point but confirm with a local professional.

crikey!!!!!

a near dead tree.. that looks like it is..

one... 10 feet from the house

and two.. leaning over the house ...

i would not waste money on an opinion as to how dead it is.. or how many thousands of dollars i could pour into saving a near dead tree...

but one thing for sure..

it would be taken down within 30 days... or i would move out of the house...

so far.. you have lived a charmed life.. do NOT tempt fortune.. any further ...

ken

Soaphands, I second Ken's opinion. That thing would have to have one heck of a set of new buds set to open and no rot at the base to stay standing near my bedroom.

Anything odd happen near the dead tree? Trenching work or new sod? Sometimes people and trees just die but I always look for a reason (like a tree falling on a windy night) before blaming fate.

Hi soaphands :-) Your sweetgum looks like it has ganoderma root rot to me, a symptom of internal or root rot that is fatal. Time to remove the tree. Also it can spread from one root system to another, so the sooner it's removed the better. Several things stressed the tree out to make its immune system give in to a fungus like this - fungus entering a spot where injury occurred like a lawn mower or weedwacker is the most common further stressed by deficiency of water + girdling roots + heat + herbicides applied nearby + genetically weak etc. Best, Bob

Thanks everyone for the advice/help. The tree is about 100ft from the house, but it does sit right next to our neighbors driveway, so down it will come.
Other than a probable lawn mower nick, not many other things happened in the area. Aside from the carpentar bee investation. A few years ago a large branch from way up fell on its own (regular sunny day, no wind), but we couldnt figure it out.
Now to find a replacement tree!

Yes, sweetgums are notoriously brittle. Not at all uncommon to have branches break off.

A lawn mower nick could have let in ganoderma spores which float around.

Yes, sweetgums are notoriously brittle and branches break off easily. Eucalyptus is another that does this. You might want to try an oak.

A mower nick could have let in ganoderma spores that float around.

I'm going to be calling around for some estimates, but is there anything I can do to stop the spread of fungus to my other tree, like something I can poor on the visible fungus.
I'm assuming the strunk has to go, so is there any point of using a stump killer, or should it be removed?

I have some airplants hanging off the branches, should I remove them, or is it okay to keep watering them as the water will
Touch the fungus. I know ill have to remove them eventually, but just for now.

There is a whole line of fungicide products. Some folks even treat their lawns with them.

I am no expert on these and really just watch the "mushrooms" pop up in my yard, most likely from where the roots of trees I have removed are rotting below ground.