Fungus: remove tree or try to save it?

[Sandy Loam]

Hello. I just discovered that one of my sweet viburnum trees had dropped all of its leaves and there is this horrible looking fungus running up its trunk (see photo - click to enlarge). I can attach additional photos if the one attached is not clear enough. Do you think that it is a botryspora fungus? 

 

Whatever it is, I am scared that it will spread to the adjacent trees, which are also viburnum and also very close together. I can have it chopped down and removed, but won't the fungus spread underground anyways? These are large viburnum trees and their roots are definitely intertwined.

 

Should I instead sprinkle a systemic fungicide at the base of the tree and hope that it will recover?  By doing so, do I increase the risk of the adjacent trees becoming infected while I wait three years for this tree to recover?

 

I appreciate any guidance that you gardening experts might have. By the way, I am located in Gainesville, Florida, USA.

 

Thank you all in advance! 

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Sandy Loam said:

Hello. I just discovered that one of my sweet viburnum trees had dropped all of its leaves and there is this horrible looking fungus running up its trunk (see photo - click to enlarge). I can attach additional photos if the one attached is not clear enough. Do you think that it is a botryspora fungus? 

 

Whatever it is, I am scared that it will spread to the adjacent trees, which are also viburnum and also very close together. I can have it chopped down and removed, but won't the fungus spread underground anyways? These are large viburnum trees and their roots are definitely intertwined.

 

Should I instead sprinkle a systemic fungicide at the base of the tree and hope that it will recover?  By doing so, do I increase the risk of the adjacent trees becoming infected while I wait three years for this tree to recover?

 

I appreciate any guidance that you gardening experts might have. By the way, I am located in Gainesville, Florida, USA.

 

Thank you all in advance! 

Since the Fungus is likely well established in the soil, and what you're seeing are the spore producing bodies of it / other, secondary fungi,  tossing any fungicide would just be wasteful, and won't do a thing to stop it.. Rip it out, and watch the others ( ..and remove if, ..or as.. they start showing signs of infection )

Might start researching native, replacement candidates for the future..