False tinder fungus

Taxonomic position and type of pathogen: The false tinder fungus (Phellinus igniarius) belongs to the kingdom Fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, and family Hymenochaetaceae. It is a perennial wood-decaying fungus that acts as a serious phytopathogen, responsible for heart rot in a wide range of broad-leaved tree species.

Host plants: The primary hosts for this pathogen include aspen, birch, willow, and alder, along with several other broad-leaved trees in natural forests and managed plantations. The fungus typically infects mature and over-mature stands by entering through damaged bark, broken branches, or frost cracks.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle involves the development of perennial, hoof-shaped fruiting bodies that grow steadily over many years. Spores are dispersed by the wind and settle on exposed woody tissues. Once inside the stem, the fungal mycelium colonizes the heartwood, progressively decomposing the structural tissues and reducing the wood to a decayed, punky mass.

Environmental conditions and impact: High humidity and the presence of bark injuries are the primary factors favoring the spread of the pathogen. Phellinus igniarius causes white rot, which significantly weakens the structural integrity of the tree. This damage increases susceptibility to windthrow and stem breakage, leading to substantial economic losses in timber production.

Management and control measures: Control strategies primarily focus on silvicultural practices to manage the health of the stand.

• Implementation of timely sanitary fellings to remove infested trees.
• Prevention of mechanical wounds to tree trunks during forest operations.
• Removal and destruction of fruiting bodies to reduce spore load in the forest.
• Selection of resilient tree species when establishing new plantations to limit disease spread.