mushroom id on a hemlock

[The Gobble-stopper]

First time a mushroom came up on my hemlock, it looks familiar, but cant find my ID book. Would love it if it were edible. Can you give me some help?

[cjjcb]

Possible oyster mushroom… dead Hemlock snag?
Folks say oysters are edible, but I’ll leave the final identification up to you…

[The Gobble-stopper]

Possible oyster mushroom… dead Hemlock snag?
Folks say oysters are edible, but I’ll leave the final identification up to you…

The top of the tree died 10 years ago but the bottom half, about 30 feet tall is healthy..My first thought was oyster.? The mushroom is by itself and is about 10 inches across. I know there is a few experts on here. I was hoping they would chime in. Doesn't piano man know a lot about mushrooms?

[MR5x5]

Start here;

https://www.alpental.com/psms/PNWMushrooms/PictorialKey/Oddballs.htm

Looks like an oyster variety. 

[pianoman9701]

Get a good guide. Do a spore print and compare characteristics. BTW, true oysters usually grow on hardwoods, not conifers.

[RobinHoodlum]

As Piano said, oysters are generally growing on dead hardwood (snags or down wood). The fact that this is also solitary, large, and appears to have a leathery-ish top surface (vs. wet & slick) are all indications that it's something else.

[Jake Dogfish]

Interesting find!
Looks similar to hypsizygus, but I’ve only seen it on hardwoods.

[Timberstalker]

Appears to be a leaver-right.

[The Gobble-stopper]

Thanks guys. Originally thought of Oyster but the conifer part puzzled me. Thanks everyone, Piano, mr5 etc. I think I need to order some new books. Have been staying on the safe side, chantrelles, morels, etc. Using a
book that I picked up for wild edibles class back in college 1976. Been wanting to try the oysters, the boletes,etc I know there are a lot more water ones. Just have to do my homework. Slow down on fishing and hunting or at least share the shrimp hunting on those outings. Thanks again, I am going to leave this guy where he is or maybe share some spores with some different deciduous trees on my property.