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Trutovik Hartig is a tree fungus of the Hymenochetal family. Belongs to the category of perennial species. It got its name in honor of the German botanist Robert Hartig, who first discovered and described it. It is considered one of the most dangerous parasitic fungi that destroys living wood. In mycological reference books it is listed as Phellinus hartigii.
Description of the tinder fungus Hartig
This species has a non-standard shape of the fruiting body, as it consists only of a cap. The mushroom is large in size, its diameter can reach 25-28 cm, and its thickness is about 20 cm.
At the initial stage of growth, the Hartig tinder fungus is nodular, but with many years of development it gradually becomes hoof-shaped or cantilever.
The surface of the cap is rough, hard. Wide stepped zones are clearly distinguished on it. In young specimens, the color is yellow-brown, and later it changes to dirty gray or black. In mature mushrooms, the surface of the fruiting body often cracks and green moss develops in the resulting holes. The edge of the fruiting body is rounded. Its shade can vary from red to ocher brown.
When broken, you can see hard woody flesh with a glossy sheen. Its shade is yellowish brown, sometimes rusty. The pulp has no smell.
The hymenophore of this species is tubular, while the pores are arranged in several layers and are separated from each other by sterile layers. Their shape may be round or angular. The spore-bearing layer is brown with a yellow or rusty tint.
The fruit bodies of the tinder fungus Hartig appear in the lower part of the trunk on the north side.
Where and how to grow
This species can be found in mixed and coniferous plantings. It grows on living wood, dead wood and tall stumps. This is a parasitic fungus that affects purely coniferous species, but most often fir. It grows singly, but in rare cases in a small group. Subsequently, the mushrooms grow together, forming a single whole.
Trutovik Hartig is not among the common mushrooms. It can be found on Sakhalin, the Far East, on both sides of the Ural Mountains up to Kaliningrad, in the Caucasus. It practically does not occur in the central part of Our Country, only in the Leningrad region cases of its appearance were recorded.
It can also be found in:
- North America;
- Asia;
- North Africa;
- Europe.
How does Hartig’s tinder fungus affect trees
The tinder fungus Hartig promotes the development of pale yellow rot, which destroys the wood. Narrow black lines can be seen at the lesions, which distinguish diseased areas from healthy ones.
Most often, this species parasitizes fir. Infection occurs through other plants, cracks in the bark and broken branches. Initially, in places of damage, the wood becomes soft, fibrous. In addition, brown tinder mycelium accumulates under the bark, and branches rot on the surface, which is also the main symptom. With further development, depressed areas appear on the trunk, where fungi eventually germinate.
In fir plantations, the affected trees are located singly. In case of mass infection, the number of diseased firs can be 40%. As a result, their immunity weakens and resistance to stem pests decreases.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The tinder fungus Hartig is inedible. It cannot be eaten in any form. Although it is unlikely that the external signs and the cork consistency of the pulp will make anyone want to try this mushroom.
Twins and their differences
In appearance, this species is in many ways similar to its close relative, the false oak tinder fungus, which also belongs to the Hymenochetes family. But the latter has a much smaller fruiting body – from 5 to 20 cm. Initially, this tree fungus looks like an enlarged bud, and then takes on the shape of a ball, which creates the impression of an influx on the bark.
The tubular layer of the false oak tinder fungus is round-convex, layered with small pores. Its shade is brownish-rusty. The fruit body consists of a cap, which adheres to the tree with a wide side. It has irregularities and furrows, and as a result of many years of growth, deep cracks may appear on it. A twin of a gray-brown hue, but closer to the edge, the color changes to a rusty-brown. This species belongs to the category of inedible, its official name is Fomitiporia robusta.
False oak tinder activates the development of white rot
Conclusion
Gartig’s tinder fungus is of no value to mushroom pickers, so they bypass it. And for environmentalists, it is the main sign of a whole disaster. After all, this species grows deep into healthy wood and makes it unsuitable for further processing. Moreover, the fungus, due to its long-term lifestyle, can carry out destructive work until the diseased tree completely dies.
