What would cause this on a tree?

[DMD]

Any idea what would cause this on a tree? These trees are in North Florida. The tree has a large very rotted area right at the base. I mark is about 5 feet up but matches another that is at ground level. Any help is appreciated.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Looks like SOD or slimeflux. Not a very good pic. What does it smell like?

 

[windthrown]

It looks like Sudden Oak Death (SOD), AKA: ramorum blight. SOD is a huge issue in CA and spreads fast. It is suspected to be in Florida now. You are asked to contact FL state agencies to report any suspicion about this kind of disease: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp118

I imported a lot of redwood trees from CA into Southern Oregon just before the SOD quarantine went into effect. I had a bunch of Rhodies near the redwoods show the same leaf effects of SOD, so I called the state agency here. They came out and took samples and tested them in a lab, and I was subsequently cleared for SOD. Fortunately.