blackthorn fungi infected- harvest?

[Pat B]

It really doesn't take whitewoods long to deteriorate once the conditions are right. A hickory log laying on the ground for a week can be infected by a fungi and you not even know it. Fungi are very efficient at doing their job of breaking down wood and other natural materials...and usually that is a good thing.

[stuckinthemud]

True enough, just wish I'd found this tree last year, there was at least one really nice bow in it before it fell sick

[Mac43560]

Pretty much if you see shelf fungus or any other large fruiting body on the main trunk,  the fungus has spread pretty far and the tree is dead already.  Might still have leaves and epicormic branching and dieback. But it is dead.   If I see that I dont even bother to cut it unless it's a hazard.