Once again, the sulphur polypore fungus has appeared on the willow growing by the municipal pond in Bolesławiec (on the side of Kubika Street). This time, it has attacked intensely—it is visible in many places on the trunk.
The fungus, with its intense yellow-orange color, is a dangerous parasite of deciduous trees. Its appearance means that the tree is beginning to die. Sometimes this process takes many years. During it, branches gradually dry out and may pose a danger to people.
A dangerous parasite for trees—a fungus edible for humans
Sulphur polypore is a parasitic fungus that develops mainly on deciduous trees such as oaks, willows and poplars. It causes brown wood rot, breaking down its structure from the inside.
This process leads to:
- weakening of the trunk and branches,
- loss of the tree’s stability,
- an increased risk of the tree breaking or falling over.
Infected trees often look healthy from the outside for a long time, even though their interior has already been seriously damaged.
Edible, but only when young
Despite its role in nature, the sulphur polypore is also known as an edible mushroom, sometimes called “chicken of the woods” because of its consistency, which resembles poultry meat.
However, eating it is safe only under certain conditions:
- only young fruiting bodies should be collected—soft, juicy and intensely yellow-orange,
- specimens growing on coniferous trees or black locusts should be avoided, as they may cause stomach problems,
- before eating, the mushroom must be thoroughly boiled (for about 15 minutes), as raw specimens may cause digestive problems,
- it should not be eaten if it grows on degraded or contaminated wood (e.g. in cities near busy roads).
A fungus with two faces
The sulphur polypore is therefore an example of a species with a dual role in the ecosystem: on the one hand, it destroys wood and weakens trees; on the other, under controlled conditions, it can be a valued culinary ingredient.
Experts emphasize, however, that its presence on a tree should always be a warning sign—it indicates an advancing decomposition process and a potential threat to the tree’s stability.
