Silver Birch

Mycorrhizal partner of

• Brown Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrum

  Obligate ectomycorrhizal associate of birch. Virtually never found without a Betula host nearby.

• Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria

  The iconic fly agaric–birch association. Birch is its primary pioneer-woodland host alongside pine.

• Brown RollrimPaxillus involutus

  Well-documented ectomycorrhizal associate of Silver Birch. Historically eaten across Europe before its cumulative haemolytic toxicity was established, a rare case of a mycorrhizal fungus proving fatal to humans.

• The SickenerRussula emetica

  Also ectomycorrhizal with Silver Birch in mixed pine-birch heathland.

• Woolly MilkcapLactarius torminosus

  Obligately ectomycorrhizal with Betula; rarely or never recorded with other host genera (Nuytinck & Verbeken 2003).

Host of

• Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

  Obligate on Silver Birch, virtually never recorded on any other host. Causes a brown rot that softens the trunk; infected birches are preferentially selected by Great Spotted Woodpecker for nest excavation.

• Willow BracketPhellinus igniarius

  Common perennial bracket on older Birch, contributing to standing deadwood habitat on which many saproxylic species depend.

Parasitised by

• Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

  Major parasite of Silver Birch in northern European forests; often co-occurs with Birch Polypore on the same host.

Nesting site for

• Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minor

  Excavates nest cavities in soft-rotted Silver Birch, often in trunks weakened by Birch Polypore.