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Decay Pattern in Sugar Maple

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From: Steve Horn City: White Lake, MI
I cut a 10" diameter sugar maple and found a unique decay pattern inside. The stain pattern radiates outward from the center of the tree in a star-like fashion. In one cross-section there are about 16 spikes that point to the bark of the tree (some almost touch it). These spikes look like narrow, slender triangles and the edges are lined with black. The remainder of the discolored area is moltled brown/black. All of the wood is still solid. Any ideas as to what type of fungus or bacteria creates this? Thank you. Steve Horn
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Greetings Steve, Sugar maple, like ash, often has “false heartwood”. False heartwood is usually caused by a wound or opening in the bark of the tree and thereby creates a discoloration of the sapwood. This "decay" may also be the result of sapstreak disease, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis coerulescens. This disease often causes discoloration of the sapwood. The star pattern you see in the cross section of the wood may be due in part to the parenchyma cells.
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