Pleurotus ostreatus
Oyster mushroom
It is common on dead standing and fallen trees. For the infection usually wood or bark injuries are needed. The fungus slowly spreads through the wood, and causes white rot. Fruiting bodies appear after a longer a wet period. The mushroom has a cap spanning 5-25 cm broad, fan or oyster-shaped. Natural specimens range from white to grey or tan to dark-brown, with inrolled margin when young, smooth and often somewhat lobed or wavy. Flesh is white, firm, varies in thickness due to the position of stripe. The gills of the mushroom are white to cream, descend stalk if present. If so, stipe is off-centre with lateral attachment to wood.
The fungus slowly spreads through the wood, and causes white rot. The mushroom has a cap spanning 5-25 cm broad, fan or oyster-shaped.
Tree Species: Birch, Beech, Rowan, Whitebeam, Maple, Lime, Horse Chestnut, Poplar, Willow
Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk
Pest significance: Harmful
Pest Category: Fungi
Invasive Species: No
Present in EU: Yes
Pest group: Fungi
Affected part of wood: Heartwood, Sapwood
Depth of damages: More than 5 cm depth, Under bark only, Up to 0,5 cm depth, Up to 2 cm depth, Up to 5 cm depth
The extent of damage: Lokally
Prevalence in Europe: Common
Damaged products: Firewood
Roundwood size: Diameter from 10 up to 50 cm
Wood discoloration: Yes
Pest subcategory: Partly brown and partly white rot
Similar pests
Armillaria mellea
Pleurotus pulmonarius
