The oak polypore lives perhaps exclusively on old oak heartwood and although widespread is nowhere considered common. It is on Red Data Lists in several countries in Europe and is considered threatened in England because of the lack of records and because the habitat may be restricted.

The oak polypore has been recorded from 29 sites in 19 English counties but only 18 of these records is in the last 30 years. Recently found by Ted Green on two new unrecorded sites in Sweden on an ATF visit, it is still only known from less than 20 sites across the country.

It fruits early in the year – so do keep your eyes open for it this year and report your findings to us or the British Mycological Society. The report can be obtained from English Nature, Peterborough.