This is a rather large and lovely fruiting body of a fungus.
Although I was happy to find it, it is a bad sign for the oak on which it resides.
It is also referred to as root rot or butt rot.
This part of the fungi is called a basidocarp. These can get several feet wide and over half a foot tall.
The top is a mixture of oranges, browns and whites. The top is hard and leathery or rubbery. The underside is white with tiny pores.
These two were found around the base of my neighbors’ oak. This is twice as bad as finding one because it means the decay is more severe. (Sorry M & N.)
I also spotted the one below downtown, which I plan to report to our local arborist.
The Conk is lovely but a deadly delight.
FLOWER
floweralley 
Does the fungus kill the tree or is the tree already in distress?
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What wonderful images of this fungus! The colours and textures are amazing. It is a shame for the oak, but this is nature’s cycle of life.
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Bonsoir Floweralley, ce champignon est beau mais c’est triste de lire les dégâts qu’il peut faire.
Douce soirée.
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Yes. I love the colors and textures. It is a shame that it is a bad sign for the tree.
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Beautiful fungus but not sure that it is a Ganoderma. Ganoderma are usually smooth and glossy on top. It would be interesting to see what colour the spores are – if pinky brown then it is a Ganoderma. Cheers
Geoff
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I sent a photo to the town arborist. We will see what he thinks. Pinky spores? I will check on that later with some white paper. Thank you for your input. I will be following your blog. I love all fungi. I have never been to New Zealand. I am so glad you found me.
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I have been spelling conk wrong all this time. It is spelled with a k not a ch. I have trouble with homophones. My grandpa used to send me letters full of these mistakes on purpose. I think of him every time I slip up.
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