Ploomil taelik
3. Mar 2025White rot on spruce
3. Mar 2025
Northern clover Climacodon septentrionalis
LEVEL
A rather rare fungus in Europe, here it grows on the trunks of deciduous trees, mainly horse chestnut and maple, in many parks and settlements.
VILJAKEHA
It consists of several dozens of yellowish-white caplets growing below and next to each other, usually forming an irregular oval cluster (up to 40 cm high and 30 cm wide). The underside of the cones is composed of tough, closely spaced clusters.
The fruiting bodies are annual, appearing in July-August and persisting for 2-3 months. As they age, they become soft and dark and fall off the tree, leaving a characteristic light-coloured mark on the bark. The seed has a strong fishy smell.
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It damages older trees, causing brownish and soft white rot in the limbs and later cavities. The rot extends along the frost line to the surface of the trunk where it forms a fruiting body. The basal blight generally leaves the root and trunk strong, although coarser branches or twigs may break.