Where to find spalted wood. For starters, check out any woodpile or logs lying on the forest floor, since spalting is part of the natural decay process of wood. The most common type to find is zone lined, about which most woodworkers are familiar.
What does a spalted maple tree look like?
Light appearance. The spalting in the maple resembles a pen drawing. It can be very subtle or it can be very dramatic depending on how long before it was sawn and kiln dried. Strong, stiff, hard and more dense than all of the other species of Maple commercially available in lumber form.
Is Spalted Wood toxic?
Studies have shown that spalted wood is actually no more dangerous to woodworkers or those who have the wood in their homes than any other wood pieces. … There have been cases of people having allergic reactions to the inactive fungus spores contained within spalted wood.
What causes spalted maple?
Spalting is caused by certain white-rot decay fungi growing in wood–primarily hardwoods such as maple, birch, and beech. The fungi create —zone lines“ in the wood where territories of competing fungi meet. … If these decay fungi are allowed to grow for too long, however, the strength of the wood is diminished.
Can I use spalted maple for a cutting board?
The dark lines prized in spalted wood are caused by white rot fungus. What the fungus adds in beauty, however, it takes away in hardness, leaving behind soft, punky areas. So right away we’d advise against using it for cutting boards.
How do you know if maple is Spalted?
The partial decay, called spalting, can give the wood dark contrasting lines and streaks where fungus has begun to attack the wood. If the wood has been rescued from the spalting at the right time, the lumber should still be sound and usable, with little to no soft spots or rotten wood.
Is Spalted maple valuable?
Retail prices for 4/4 spalted maple were quoted at $7.50 to $9/bf, though price is often dictated by the amount of figure.
Is Spalted maple rare?
Spalted Maple is rare and each piece is visually distinct and unique. Spalting occurs in other species such as Beech, Birch, Poplar and some imported species like tamarind. Maple is the most popular and preferred species since its wide, white sapwood provides a blank canvas for the fungi to demonstrate their magic.
What does spalted wood look like?
The term spalted refers to the discoloration and detailed dark lines that occurs from fungal growth in the wood as it decays and rots. The discoloration frequently includes brown and black staining. The detailed dark lines (sometimes referred to as zone lines) can create very intricate patterns.
How do you stabilize spalted wood?
How to stabilize spalted wood. to grow, and you’ll stop its progress. in a freezer prior to finish turning. air and slow the growth of the fungi.
What is Spalted maple used for?
Like most maple, spalted maple is used as a veneer and typically paired with a mahogany body. It’s unique appearance is due to fungus that invades the wood and creates distinct black striping called zone lines. These lines are built up by the fungus as a way to delineate itself from the rest of the wood or other fungi.
Is Ambrosia Maple rare?
Re: Ambrosia Maple
We buy a decent amount of ambrosia or wormy maple logs and they are much more rare here than clean red maple.
Where is ambrosia maple found?
Silver Maple rangers from the Great Plains east, excluding the Gold and AtlanticCoastal region. Red Maple grows throughout the eastern United States.
What is the difference between Spalted maple and ambrosia maple?
Spalting occurs when a fungus enters the wood once it starts to decay. … Ambrosia maple on the other hand is when the ambrosia beetle bores in to a tree and leaves behind a fungus from its legs that discolor the wood.
How do you beat Spalted maple?
After the glue has dried, sand the wood. Spalted wood is more easily scratched by sandpaper, so sand up to P600 grit. Finally, if you want a clear, non-yellowing topcoat, use a water-based finish like Minwax Polycrylic, wet-sanding with CAMI 800-grit paper between coats.
How do you get flamed maple?
Most people do not realize that the flame is not the actual grain pattern of the wood. It actually runs perpendicular to the grain direction, which is why some maple tops appear to have patterns running front-to-back and side-to-side. The rippled, 3-D look to flame maple is caused by a phenomenon known as chatoyancy.
What are the black lines in Maple?
Spalted Maple is normally a Hard Maple but can also be seen in Soft Maple. The figure in Spalted Maple is produced by decay. Basically, the tree or log starts to decay and during that process, a fungus attacks the wood. This fungus gives Spalted Maple the distinct black lines of figure that woodworkers love.
What is Spalted wood?
What is Spalted Wood? Spalting is any kind of wood colouration that is caused when fungi colonise the wood and extract nutrients from it, leaving behind dark dotted and lined patterns.
What is wormy Maple?
Wormy Maple (sometimes called “Ambrosia Maple”) is a grade of Soft Maple, specifically selected and sorted to show mineral streaks and color variations caused by the Ambrosia beetle. The beetle infests the live Maple tree, depositing larvae that bore small “worm holes” and discolor the wood.
Is maple wood Food Safe?
Maple, and other woods are a safe option for inhibiting bacterial growth around food. … Cleaned and cared for properly, maple is an excellent and safe option for food preparation.
Is Ambrosia maple good for cutting boards?
I use Ambrosia maple to make beautiful trays and boxes. Occasionally will use it for a cheese/Charcuterie board. Never a cutting board as it is too soft and you lose most of teh the beautiful colored streaks when you use the edge or end grain.
What is spalted ash?
Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress. Although spalting can cause weight loss and strength loss in the wood, the unique coloration and patterns of spalted wood are sought by woodworkers.