Fuscoporia torulosa

(Pers.) T. Wagner & M. Fisch.

Mature brackets at the base of a mature English oak near Windsor, Buckinghamshire.
Between buttresses on English oak
Growing from a burr on English oak
The orange-dark brown upper surface of a mature bracket
Fresh orange-brown growth on a damaged fruiting body

Mature brackets at the base of a mature English oak near Windsor, Buckinghamshire.
Between buttresses on English oak
Growing from a burr on English oak
The orange-dark brown upper surface of a mature bracket
Fresh orange-brown growth on a damaged fruiting body

Common name

Tufted bracket fungus

Often found on

None.

Sometimes found on

Broadleaved species (namely oak).

Location

Generally found at the base of mature trees in between buttresses – sometimes on burrs.

Description

Perennial . Tough and woody. Often small though can become quite large, after some years. Upper surface is velvety brown – stained algal green, on mature brackets (photo a). Fresh growth gold-orange and velvety. Pore layer red-brown. Tubes irregularly shaped. In senescence , fruiting bodies are a dark purplish-brown with algal greening.

Confused with

Fomes fomentarius; Ganoderma australe; Phellinus robustus; Phylloporia ribis.

Significance

Very rarely observed in England – more common in central and southern Europe. When found, its presence should be officially recorded. Research suggests it is parasitic (can colonise sapwood ) and is attributed with a selective white rot of the butt of its host. Where this fungus is identified, investigations into hollowness should therefore be undertaken, prior to considering pruning options. Due to rarity, the stem should be retained, if the tree is removed, to prolong the fungus’ ability to sporulate.