--- title: What is Hypoxylon? description: What is Hypoxylon? image: https://www.cartwrighttree.com/hs-fs/file-2773280165-jpg/blog-files/2136609271_17ed4f0916-300x225.jpg --- # What is Hypoxylon? Jun 27, 2013 6:30:34 AM [![tree maintenance](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/hs-fs/file-2773280165-jpg/blog-files/2136609271_17ed4f0916-300x225.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=2136609271_17ed4f0916-300x225.jpg "tree maintenance ")](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/hs-fs/file-2773280165-jpg/blog-files/2136609271_17ed4f0916-300x225.jpg) Source: Flickr Just like all other living creatures, trees eventually grow old and die. For those [beautiful, shady, oak trees](http://blog.cartwrighttree.com/tree-healthcare/avoid-these-mistakes-when-planting-a-tree/) in your yard, one of the key indicators of this unfortunate process is the presence of a fungus, *hypoxylon atropunctatum**.* The presence of this fungus does not necessarily mean that your tree is going to die, but quick and appropriate action must be taken to save the plant. A relatively weak parasite, hypoxylon seeks out the most [distressed trees](http://blog.cartwrighttree.com/tree-healthcare/your-trees-may-be-stressed-from-too-much-rain/) and finishes them off by sapping food and water resources as they work their way up the outer layers of the tree just under the bark. It first appears as a light brown area that turns dusty if disturbed. In its second stage, the fungus turns silver-gray and turns hard to the touch. In either stage, the fungus can have a profoundly devastating effect on a distressed tree. In short, the presence of hypoxylon indicates a tree that is in need of immediate care. If you think you have a tree infected with hypoxylon or if you need a tree maintenance expert for any other reason, please visit our tree care professionals at our [website ](http://cartwrighttree.com/)or call us directly at 816-965-6758. [Tree Healthcare](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/tree-healthcare), [Tree Maintenance](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/tree-maintenance) ##### Like it? Share it: [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/what-is-hypoxylon) [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/what-is-hypoxylon) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/what-is-hypoxylon) ### You may also like [Act now to prevent wind damage ](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/act-now-to-prevent-wind-damage) ##### [Act now to prevent wind damage](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/act-now-to-prevent-wind-damage) 1 December, 2010 With the recent storms and high winds that have impacted our area, it’s important to take action with preventative storm... 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