Fungus growing on my pomegranate tree

I have a pomegranate tree that is trained fan-shaped.  It was planted ca 2004 and grows next to my vegetable garden.  Third photo here shows that it had a glorious crop last summer (2021).  I decided to prune it hard last fall because it casts too much shade on the vegetable garden.  This month I noticed some fungus (mushroom) growth on the tree (first photo).  This is the first time such growth has occurred on the tree.  My brother is a plant pathologist and we decided the fungus is Schizophyllum communae (2nd photo).  He says its presence indicates the tree has a problem and will eventually die.  Right now the tree is full of nice bronze spring leaf growth and seems perfectly normal.  What do you all think?

Howdy,

I did a search for Schizophyllum communae and was surprised to read about humans becoming infected with this. I thought it was worth posting and looking up some of this.

Usually, I would say that a tree will have a growth spurt and produce more fruit when it is stressed., which is a good thing. I worked in doug fur and pine cone producing seed orchards and we repeatedly girdled trees to produce more seed cones(Girdling is normally only done to healthy trees that did not yield well the previous year), but in this case I don't know if you want to keep it alive. Burning helps the spores spread, so I don't think I would do that. One report I read(David Arora, Mushrooms Demystified) had a case of specimens sealed in a tube then moistened 50 years later, unrolled their gills and began shedding spores!

Edit,
Also on wikipedia
,
"The species was regarded as nonpoisonous by Orson K. Jr. and Hope H. Miller, who considered it to be inedible due to its to smallness and toughness.[8] More recently, it has been found to cause disease,[9] including that of the lungs. They have also been reported to cause sinusitis and allergic reactions.[3] Because the mushrooms absorb moisture, they can expand during digestion. However, some sources indicate that it contains antitumor and antiviral components.[3]"  

I feel that Richard is looking for advice on how to heal the tree.

I found conflicting information about these fungi from what Randal said all the way to that it is edible.

I rather trust what Wikipedia has to say:

This mushroom is found throughout the world.

It is found in the wild on decaying trees after rainy seasons followed by dry spells where the mushrooms are naturally collected. It is known for its high medicinal value and aromatic taste profile. It has recently attracted the medicinal industry for its immunomodulatory, antifungal, antineoplastic and antiviral activities that are higher than those of any other glucan complex carbohydrate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophyllum_commune

If this were my tree I would probably not worry about it.  The fungi may have found an old wound to which it attached itself.

If I felt that something must be done then I would recommend compost tea. Or consulting a good arborist if one is in the area.

Maybe the forum has some experts with more knowledge who will give their ideas.

I should add that I live in Beaumont, CA at about 2600' elevation.  At Christmas time we had 5" of rain in a few days' duration.  This was followed by very warm, Santa Anna winds weather in January and early February...just right to bring out this fungus it appears.  The tree is also shedding a lot of bark down low (where the fungus was growing) and that makes me wonder if the fungus was attached to dead bark as opposed to solid, living tree.

Thanks for the help.

R

I think in this case the permaculture way might be to observe the tree and wait. If it is otherwise healthy and continues to fruit well I wouldn't worry about it. As you say the fungi may well just be attached to the bark like a lichen and not damaging the tree at all...Maybe put a bit of organic mulch/compost round the drip area to feed the tree a little, and see how it does this year.
(I'm jealous by the way - lovely tree!)

Nancy Reading wrote:I think in this case the permaculture way might be to observe the tree and wait. If it is otherwise healthy and continues to fruit well I wouldn't worry about it. As you say the fungi may well just be attached to the bark like a lichen and not damaging the tree at all...Maybe put a bit of organic mulch/compost round the drip area to feed the tree a little, and see how it does this year.
(I'm jealous by the way - lovely tree!)

I agree that is one beautiful pomegranate!

As a kid we had a little scrawny one that did produce one fruit which was my only experience eating the fruit.

A tree as beautiful as that tree is not dying.  The fungi found the dead limb and decided to do its magic there not meaning to harm the tree.