Fomitiporia punctata

(P. Karst.) Murrill

The resupinate fruiting bodies within a canker on a mature London plane in north-east London.
The longitudinal canker damage beneath the fruiting body (circle)
A cluster of resupinated fruiting bodies on a mature London Plane in London
Fruiting bodies and the associated canker damage beneath on London plane
The intense white rot of the wood shown following dismantling of the host London plane

The resupinate fruiting bodies within a canker on a mature London plane in north-east London.
The longitudinal canker damage beneath the fruiting body (circle)
A cluster of resupinated fruiting bodies on a mature London Plane in London
Fruiting bodies and the associated canker damage beneath on London plane
The intense white rot of the wood shown following dismantling of the host London plane
Adjacent to a decaying pruning wound on London plane in Walthamstow, UK.
Adjacent to a decaying pruning wound on London plane in Walthamstow, UK.
Adjacent to a decaying pruning wound on London plane in Walthamstow, UK.
Adjacent to a decaying pruning wound on London plane in Walthamstow, UK.
Adjacent to a decaying pruning wound on London plane in Walthamstow, UK.

Common name

Elbowpatch crust.

Often found on

Plane.

Sometimes found on

Other deciduous broadleaved species.

Location

Found along the stem and scaffold structure of the host tree.

Description

Perennial. Usually resupinate. Generally, a darkish tan brown and sometimes with a greenish-beige to white outer perimeter. Very small fruiting bodies may be very difficult to identify. Where cankers exist on the host tree, a climbing inspection may yield identification results, though otherwise the presence of a canker may indicate its presence.

Confused with

None, however cankers caused by Inonotus hispidus and Neofusicoccum parvum can potentially look similar.

Significance

Understood to begin by causing longitudinal canker damage along the stem and scaffold structure of the host tree, following which an intense (simultaneous) white rot of the heartwood and sapwood develops. When identified, it may be necessary for hollowness / residual wood strength investigations to be undertaken, in cases where targets exist. Because this fungus has been seldom recorded in England, the exact impact it has upon its host is not fully appreciated, though current cases suggest it could be a strong pathogen.