Northern Tooth

Climacodon septentrionalis

On maples, oaks, poplars, at damaged spots on trees. Summer, autumn.

Fruiting bodies large, up to 30 cm across, made up of fused flat lobes arranged in overlapping tiers one above another, attached to the substrate by one edge; surface whitish, later becoming yellowish, in old ones yellowish-brown, hairy. The spines on the underside yellowish, up to 1.3 (2) cm long. Flesh white, firm, 2–4 cm thick, slightly bitter-tasting. Characteristic features: grows only on deciduous trees, at a damaged spot, of soft, corky consistency, easily recognised. Causes a white rot of the wood. Not rare. A fungus of parks and avenues, causing considerable damage to trees, especially maples.