Shaggy bracket

The shaggy bracket (Inonotus hispidus) is a parasitic fungus belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family, which causes aggressive white heart rot in various broad-leaved trees. The pathogen typically enters the tree through pruning wounds, broken branches, or natural crevices in the bark, establishing itself in the heartwood.

This fungus primarily affects species such as apple trees (Malus), pear trees (Pyrus), walnut, ash, and plane trees. It is highly opportunistic and frequently targets older or stressed trees that have lost their natural defense mechanisms, causing internal structural decay that is not visible until the late stages of infection.

The most distinctive visual symptom is the appearance of large, shelf-like fruiting bodies. These sporocarps are typically rust-brown or yellowish-brown in color, featuring a bristly or hairy surface that gives the fungus its common name. They are often found on the main trunk or at the base of heavy branches during late summer and autumn.

Environmental conditions, particularly mild temperatures and high moisture levels, accelerate the fungal growth. Once inside, the mycelium secretes enzymes that decompose cellulose and lignin, the primary structural components of the tree. This process compromises the mechanical integrity of the trunk, frequently leading to limb failure or total tree collapse during strong winds.

Management of the shaggy bracket focuses on preventative care rather than curative treatment. Since there are no chemical sprays to eradicate the fungus once it has deeply colonized the wood, the following strategies are critical:

• Maintain tree vigor through proper irrigation and fertilization.
• Minimize mechanical injuries to the bark during landscape maintenance.
• Ensure clean, properly angled cuts during pruning to avoid water pooling.
• Monitor trees annually for the presence of fruiting bodies.
• Remove and destroy infected wood debris to reduce local spore load.