Fragrant Bracket

Yesterday in Loches we parked right in front of this attractive fungus in its prime. I've identified it as the widespread but uncommon Fragrant Bracket fungus Trametes suaveolens (Fr. Tramètes parfumée) but have not had expert confirmation.

It was growing on a weeping birch, which is not an unknown host for it, but apparently it is much more likely to be found on willow. The real telltale determining character is that it smells of aniseed. Unfortunately, because I didn't know that at the time, I didn't check.

It is one of the fungi that causes white rot in old living or already dead wood.