The effect of Armillaria on living host start with growth loss, leading to root and stem rot. Other symptoms of Armillaria root diseases are rather more nonspecific, including reduction of shoot growth, changes in foliage characteristics, crown dieback, stress induced reproduction, basal stem indicators, white rot decay and death. However, some signs of infection are specific to Armillaria species like the distinctive mycelial fans, characteristic rhizomorphs (also evident with in vitro cultures) as well as the characteristic tawny toadstools. In young trees and shrubs, the entire foliage may turn brown or wilt and death may appear to be sudden. In older trees, death may follow a gradual dieback and may be preceded by the production of sparse foliage or by an abnormally heavy crop of cones or fruit. As with several other tree root diseases, honey fungus infection may lead to resinous or gummy exudations from the lower part of the stem.