Strange growth on maple tree

[Leafmebee]

Hello, I made an account here because I'm having trouble identifying a sudden growth on the tree outside my house. I would like to know if it is harmful to the tree or not and how to remove it. Thanks!
Here are some pics

 

[ATH]

Try again on the pics...

Click "Upload a file" at the bottom of the post. Find the files on your computer/phone. After it is uploaded, insert into post. (I prefer thumbnails...some others prefer full sized - it really doesn't matter)

 

[Leafmebee]

here it is

 

[Jed1124]

Looks like a fungal fruiting body. I would guess it' due to decay from lack of an exposed root flare and possibly a girdling root.
You can take off the fruiting body but the decay organism is living in the woody tissue underneath.

 

[Leafmebee]

Looks like a fungal fruiting body. I would guess it' due to decay from lack of an exposed root flare and possibly a girdling root.
You can take off the fruiting body but the decay organism is living in the woody tissue underneath.

Will this harm the tree? My parents already took off the chunk but there are small bits left.

 

[Jed1124]

Will this harm the tree? My parents already took off the chunk but there are small bits left.

Depends on the pathogen. Generally fungal growth living in woody tissue is not a good thing. Some pathogens are aggressive, others not so much. Next time you see a fruiting body let it get larger so you can identify it.
Going forward, the first order of business would be to clean the soil down to the root flair to see what you have.

 

[jomoco]

That may just be sap bubbling up from mechanical damage, or a bug entrance hole successfully thwarted by sap flow?

Jomoco

 

[Jason Douglas]

Attach more recent picks please. Almost looks more like a nuisance fungus but may just be an immature conk.

 

[Leafmebee]

Apparently, it's been there for a while. My dad would just take it down whenever he saw it. My dad already took it down but some bits are left. Will post pics soon.