1 Iritis is uncommon, but can be due to trauma, infections, or autoimmune conditions. Symptoms include pain, red eye, and often, decreased vision.  Optic neuritis. The nerve travelling from the back of the eyeball into the brain can become inflamed.
Oak root fungus, or white rot, is a widespread disease that becomes visible just beneath the bark and on roots. What looks like layers of light brown to tan mushrooms form in clusters at the base of the trees.
It sounds as though your mulch has developed artillery or shotgun fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus). The black specks are spore masses of the fungus. Artillery fungus has the ability to shoot its spores at objects such as light-colored house siding, fences, or cars. The spores stick to most surfaces and are almost impossible to remove. This fungus develops in wood-based mulches under cool, moist conditions.