Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 2520773

Aspen Bracket

Phellinus tremulae

Also known as Aspen Trunk Rot Fungus, Aspen Phellinus

Aspen brackets form hard, hoof-shaped woody caps that erupt directly from the trunks of living aspen trees. They cause a heart-rot decay that weakens the interior wood while leaving the outer shell standing, creating crucial hollows for cavity-nesting birds like woodpeckers and owls. Perennial fruiting bodies add a new pore layer each year, slowly developing a cracked, dark grey upper crust with a rich cinnamon-brown underside.

Wood-decayingPerennialHoof-shaped
Aspen Bracket reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Виктория Билоус, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Виктория Билоус · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Aspen wood tissue
  • Lignin
  • Cellulose
Predators
  • Beetle larvae
  • Fungus gnats
  • Mites
ThreatsHost tree removal and clear-cut logging
HabitatsBoreal and temperate forests with aspen stands
Life spanPerennial (fruiting bodies persist for decades)
Classification
  1. FamilyHymenochaetaceae
  2. SpeciesPhellinus tremulae
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Tree Assessment: Look for hoof-shaped brackets protruding high up on mature trembling aspen trunks.
  • Ecological Context: Observe nearby cavity holes, as heart-rotted wood provides nesting sites for wildlife.
  • Visual Cues: Note the cracked, dark grey upper surface and golden-brown underside.
Related species
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