Polyporus Squamosus – Dryads Saddle, Scaly Polypore

Scientific name: Polyporus squamosus

Common name: Dryad’s saddle, scaly polypore

Type of decay: White rot

Description

This annual bracket appears at two times of the year, May-June and September- October. The fruiting body can grow up to 50cm across into a large fan shaped bracket with a short tough black-brown stem. The underside of the bracket is pale yellow with large pores in a honeycomb formation. The surface of the bracket begins pale cream-white with small brown scales in a ring formation. With age the surface becomes browner in colour with more scales. The brackets can grow singularly or in clusters that overlap. The spore powder is white. The bracket grows at the base and higher up the stem and often on thicker branches or pruning wounds. Old fruiting bodies are visible all year round.

Effects of fungus on tree

Causes white heart rot to the stem and branches. Sometimes the wood at first becomes brittle and then soft forming cavities in the stem and branches. The result of the rot is brittle and ductile fractures.

Hosts: Most common broadleaf species can be affected by Polyporus squamosus but it is most commonly found on Sycamore, Beech, Elm and Ash.