Madison, WI – Mushroom-like growths found on red pine trees across Wisconsin this week have been identified as veiled polypore, a common decay fungus, state officials said Wednesday.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the fungus — Cryptoporus volvatus — typically appears on red pine trunks about a year after the tree has died. The DNR shared images and information via social media to clarify concerns from local residents noticing the pale, bulbous structures on tree bark in forests and wooded areas.
“This fungus causes white decay in the first inch of wood under the bark,” the agency said in its post. “It’s one of the first decay fungi to invade recently dead trees and does not remain on the trees for long.”
The fruiting body of the veiled polypore contains a small cavity accessible from a hole on the underside. Spores are released inside this cavity, which can attract wood-boring beetles. The beetles feed on the fungus and become dusted with spores that are later transferred to other dead red pine trees, continuing the fungus’s life cycle.
The DNR noted that while the fungus is most commonly found on red pine in Wisconsin, it has also been observed on balsam fir, hemlock and tamarack species based on previous literature. Despite its decaying action, the veiled polypore is not harmful to living trees and does not require removal or control.
“This is a decay fungus that does not actively kill the tree,” the agency added. “There is no need to control or eliminate these fungi when you see them.”
The fungus is part of a natural decomposition process and plays a role in forest nutrient cycles.
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