Inonotus Hispidus – Shaggy Polypore

Scientific name: Inonotus Hispidus

Common name: Shaggy Polypore

Type of decay: White rot, sometimes soft rot.

Description

Annual brackets (up to 30cm across and one to four inches thick) appear June – October. Young fruiting bodies first appear fleshy with light red/brown velvety upper surface and smooth white under surface. Brackets become increasingly darker with maturity until they become dry brittle and black. The fruiting bodies of Inonotus hispidus appear on the stem or thick branches. Often the old black fruiting bodies can be found lying at the base of the host tree.

Effects of fungus on tree

Inonotus hispidus causes bark death, and causes the timber to become brittle. This can lead to fractures of branches and stems. Inonotus hispidus is classed as a white rot decay fungus attacking both cellulous and lignin at a similar rate. The fruiting bodies enter the tree through wounds on the branches and trunk and decompose the heartwood.

Hosts: Ash, Apple, Plane, Walnut. The bracket is found on other broadleaf species however is most commonly found on Ash trees.