I noticed the large oak tree because of the shelf fungi along its trunk. The tree had died and fallen over a long time ago and the fungi had moved in.

They are a type of bracket fungi and are important in the process of decomposing wood. This process is the way nature recycles the nutrients and materials which the tree used to make its wood. They occur on both living and dead wood and can actually kill a tree.

They’re quite pretty and appropriately named since they look like small shelves hanging from the tree trunk. This section of the trunk is about 3 feet off the ground and nearly horizontal. The fungi are spread out along the side and bottom of the trunk, but none on top. These are off-white, but they come in many colors and some are multi-colored.

Shelf Mushrooms

Here’s a single one, maybe two, on a vertical part of the trunk. They look doughy, but I didn’t touch them.

Shelf Mushrooms

Some shelf fungi are edible, but I never try any mushroom or fungus I find on a hike. It’s too dangerous and I strongly recommend you never do so either.

Interestingly, they can also be used as the wick in an oil lamp, but I’m not going to try that either!