Porodaedalea pini

(Brot.) Murrill

Numerous brackets beneath a large stem failure on black pine near Gusted Hall Wood, Essex.
Beneath a large stem failure on black pine
Side profile of mature brackets on black pine
A reddish-brown appearance to growing brackets on black pine
The elongated pores of a mature bracket taken from black pine

Numerous brackets beneath a large stem failure on black pine near Gusted Hall Wood, Essex.
Beneath a large stem failure on black pine
Side profile of mature brackets on black pine
A reddish-brown appearance to growing brackets on black pine
The elongated pores of a mature bracket taken from black pine
On a stem wound (side profile) on black pine in Hocley, UK.
On a stem wound (side profile) on black pine in Hocley, UK.
On a stem wound (pore surface and perspective) on black pine in Hocley, UK.
On a stem wound (small brackets) on black pine in Hocley, UK.
On a stem wound (small brackets) on black pine in Hocley, UK.

Common name

Red ring rot

Often found on

Pine.

Sometimes found on

Other conifers.

Location

Found growing singularly or in clusters along the stem of the host tree – sometimes on or adjacent to wounds (photo a,b). Cankers may develop adjacent to or in the absence of brackets.

Description

Perennial. Tough and woody. Often in clusters with fruiting bodies of various sizes – can become quite large (photo a). Smaller resupinate fruit bodies are typical of the old Phellinus genus. Red-brown on the upper surface – sometimes concentrically zoned. Roughened. Pore layer golden yellow-brown. Tubes slotted and sometimes elongated. Flesh golden brown.

Confused with

Phaeolus schweinitzii (senescent stage); Phellinus pomaceus (on Prunus).

Significance

Considered parasitic on host trees – can persist after tree death and otherwise be localised to dysfunctional areas. Scope exists to cause longitudinal decay columns. Attributed to a selective white (pocket) rot of heartwood. Failure of the colonised tree part is foreseeable once fruiting occurs and therefore wood strength may need to be quantified, where targets exist.