Conks are mushrooms that grow on the trunks of trees, most of the time they grow near the base of the tree. They begin like a hemisphere shape and form into shelf like plates. They range in color from cream to a dark brown; they are tough and woody after maturation. They can be perennial and produce spores for several years, and others can die after producing spores but stay on the trunk for several years. Most of the funguses that produce these conks cause major diseases such as: heart rot, butt rot, and root rot. The conks will show up after the disease has progressed to the point that it is difficult to save the trees.