What is a characteristic of the fungi that typically attack trees?

Fungi that attack trees are known for their ability to colonize both living and dead plant tissues. This characteristic allows them to be versatile pathogens, capable of causing decay in healthy plants (often leading to weakening or death) and also decomposing dead or dying tissue, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. This dual ability is crucial in forest ecology, as it enables fungi to play significant roles as both pathogens and decomposers.

In contrast, while some fungi are complex organisms characterized by their multicellular nature and a variety of structural forms, this alone does not specifically highlight their pathogenic behavior. Fungi do not possess chlorophyll, so they cannot photosynthesize, making the option regarding photosynthesis incorrect. Additionally, many fungi thrive in moist conditions rather than dry ones, as moisture is often necessary for spore germination and growth, further indicating why they are commonly found in damp environments.