A very distinctive shelf-like fruiting structure forms singly on the wood at or near the soil line. It is brown to reddish brown on top with a cream to white-colored margin . The brown portion appears to have been varnished . The shelf grows perennially for 5 to 10 years and may reach 8 to 12 inches across. The underside of the shelf is light colored and has millions of tiny pores in which the spores are formed.
Infected trees slow in growth rate, have branches dying, and their leaves are small and yellowed.
Although it may require several years for the tree to die, an infected tree poses a hazard. A tree with fungal fruiting structures on it should be removed promptly if it is in a location where property damage may occur or where people or pets could be struck by falling limbs or the falling tree. Inonotus Root Rot A root and butt rot develops. Trees may topple before any obvious symptoms are noted. Infected trees often have a branch dieback, and fewer than normal leaves that are yellowed.