Trunk Rot caused by Climacodon septentrionalis

The northern tooth fungus (Climacodon septentrionalis) is named for the spines or teeth visible on the underside of fruiting bodies. Photo by N. Brazee
Fruiting bodies of Climacodon emerging from the lower trunk of sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Photo by N. Brazee
A crack at the union of these co-dominant leaders in a mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum) likely served as the point of infection for Climacodon. Photo by N. Brazee
Large, shelf-like fruiting body produced by Climacodon at the base of a landscape sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Photo by N. Brazee
Fruiting body of Climacodon on a shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) in the landscape. Photo by N. Brazee
Older and discolored fruiting body of Climacodon on a landscape red oak (Quercus rubra). Photo by N. Brazee
Closer view of the spines on the underside of the fruiting body. Photo by N. Brazee

Pathogen

Climacodon septentrionalis is known as the northern tooth fungus.

Hosts

Maple (Acer), especially sugar maple (A. saccharum), and beech (Fagus) are the most common hosts in the region. Less frequently, Climacodon can occur on birch (Betula), hickory (Carya), oak (Quercus), apple (Malus) and elm (Ulmus).

Symptoms & Signs

Climacodon causes a spongy, white trunk rot of deciduous hardwoods in forest and landscape settings. The fungus primarily invades trunk wounds or frost cracks but can also colonize branch stubs. Symptoms of infection on sugar maple may include bulges and swollen sections of the lower trunk, especially at co-dominant leader unions. More often, no observable symptoms are present and the only indication of the disease are the large, annual fruiting bodies produced by Climacodon. These mushrooms consist of many, shelf-like layers that are cream-colored to pale yellow when fresh, becoming discolored (greenish-brown to black) with age. They can persist on trees for many weeks in late summer and early autumn but do not survive into the following year. The underside consists of small spines or teeth, which bear the fungal spores, hence the common name northern tooth fungus. When fruiting bodies are visible, a significant decay column will have developed above and below. Spores are dispersed on local air currents to infect nearby trees.

Management

When the fungus is confirmed on an infected tree, a thorough risk assessment should be performed by a certified arborist. At the same time, infected trees may remain structurally stable for several years. The incidence of Climacodon is not grounds for immediate removal, as many infected trees persist in the landscape. Avoid wounding the trunk of susceptible hosts, especially sugar maple, to reduce possible points of entry for the fungus. Nothing can be done to eradicate the fungus once it is established and fungicides will have no effect.

Author: 
Nicholas J. Brazee
Last Updated: 
January 2020