Hairy bracket

Hairy bracket (Trametes hirsuta) is a common wood-decaying fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family. It acts primarily as a saprotroph, decomposing dead wood, but it frequently colonizes living trees that are stressed, injured, or weakened by environmental factors, functioning as a facultative parasite.

This fungus predominantly affects a wide range of broad-leaved tree species. Common hosts include birch, poplar, willow, oak, and various fruit trees in orchard environments. It targets trees with compromised bark, large pruning wounds, or those showing signs of declining vitality due to drought or pest infestation.

The primary symptom of infection is the presence of shelf-like, hairy fruiting bodies on the trunk or branches. These brackets are distinctively hirsute on the upper surface, exhibiting concentric zones of grey, white, or brownish colors. Internally, the fungus causes white rot, where the lignin and cellulose are broken down, leaving the wood soft, pale, and fibrous.

The development and spread of Trametes hirsuta are facilitated by high humidity, moderate temperatures, and the availability of open wood surfaces for spore entry. Spores are primarily wind-dispersed and infect host trees through wounds, frost cracks, or improper pruning cuts where the heartwood is exposed for extended periods.

The economic and structural impact is significant, as the fungus weakens the tree's internal structure, increasing the hazard of limb breakage or windthrow. Effective management relies on strict preventative measures, including maintaining tree vigor, minimizing pruning wounds, immediate application of wound sealants, and the prompt removal of infected wood debris to reduce the local spore count.

• Prune trees during dry weather to prevent spore germination.
• Apply specialized wound dressings to large cuts.
• Remove and destroy dead or highly infected branches.
• Sanitize pruning equipment to avoid cross-contamination.