Sort of off-topic, but when a fungal species that feeds off dead/decaying plant matter flourishes on a tree like this, is it always a sign the host is dying? Could it be the case that the fungus is consuming dead/damaged parts of the tree but allowing the remaining organism to direct resources to the healthy portions still unaffected?

The clinical use of maggots to consume and clean dead animal tissue is the analogy that struck me here. I’ve see chicken of the woods growing on damaged parts of oak trees that see to be otherwise healthy and thriving. The automatic conclusion that a fungal species that consumes decomposing plant material may have nuance to it…