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Spotlight on Spalted Wood

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Spotlight on Spalted Wood WoodSense most woodworkers are familiar. Fruiti ng Fungi �indPigmented is zone lined, wood about can bewhich more Rummagingdif�icult to locate, around and a forestvery rare Spotlight on nearto �ind very in adecayed useable logs condition. will Fruiti ng bodies of Turkey probably lead you to the green Tail (Trametes versicolor) stained wood referred to as Spalted Wood Unfortunately, the wood will likelyElf’s Cup be so(Chlorociboria soft and decayed spp.) that The rott en truth behind the decay you can only use it for inlay work, Spalted African tamarind unless you want to impregnate By Dr. Sara C. Robinson it with a thin cyanoacrylate or Technical consultant: Larry Osborn shellac to stabilize it. Most of the Dried fruiti ng bodies of Elf’s Fruiti ng bodies of Dead Man’s walking around the woods and Cup, Chlorociboria ssp. Finger (Xylaria polymorpha) Many woodworkers families from a contaminated signature category are zone lines, hackingother colors into you’lldowned only logs �ind with by misunderstand spalted wood– piece brought into the shop. often black but sometimes red, a hatchet or chainsaw. If you’re that is, wood that displays So what is real, and what is green, pink, yellow, brown. These lucky, you may see bright colors– myth? It turns out that wood scroll across wood and serve pinks or yellows–several inches associated with decay. Some scientists understand spalting as a boundary for one fungus under the bark. These tend to be claimspeci�ic that physical bacteria characteristic cause those quite well, with many having to protect its resources from in more sound wood, and might fantastic winding black lines that spent years researching the another. The third, pigmentation, work for turnings or panels. run both with and across the causal mechanisms behind displays bright colors inside wood Blue stain is an easy color grain. Others point to ‘bugs’ and wood decay. In fact, they have as shown bottom left. These are ‘worms’ for the peculiar markings developed ways to induce spalting commonly pink, green, or blue, and patches of bright color. Still in sound, clear wood. Below although other colors exist. anyto �ind. fresh-sawn Blue stain green spores wood tend The top lodgepole pine board exhibits blue and yellow stains; the is a concise guide to spalting, leftto constantly outside for �ill a daythe air,or two and bott om lodgepole pine example includes blue and pink stains. red boxelder and cry fungus! and what woodworkers need History in woodworking readily picks up blue stain. Then,others there’s hold up the pieces sizable of �lamingnumber to know to put this attractive The earliest uses of spalted Alternatively, you can go to any American hardwoods include of woodworkers who hear the element in wood to best use. wood trace back to 14th-century big box store and ask for blue When available, different hard maple, birches, buckeye, word ‘spalt’ and quickly back Italy where green spalted pine. They’ll probably sell it to species,turning blankincluding may exotics run $30. such elm, sycamore, persimmon, away, convinced that death spores Peeling back the bark wood showed up in inlaid you at a discount, because most as tamarind, may command red oak, apple, basswood, will come for them and their intarsia works. Today, however, people see it as ‘defective.’ an even higher price. That’s pecan, holly, and hackberry. woodworkers choose spalted Of course, you can purchase why hunting down your own When you encounter a It’sSpalting not caused is caused by bacteria by very speci�icor by wood (regardless of the species, spalted wood, usually maple spalted wood (or spalting staining,fungi with chemical very speci�ic or otherwise. goals. since all woods spalt, some more wood yourself as explained It’s not caused by the tree as a from woodworking supply candidate during your “walk in host response. A wide range panels, box tops, knife scales, retailers(but sometimes and online. other Here, species) you’ll saving cents. Plus, it’s fun. the woods,” cut into a downed of basidiomycete (wood decay, anddramatically turnings. than In other others) words, for door on page 72) makes sense by it’s sought for its decorative– and widths and turning blanks Selecti ng the best stock very small number of ascomycete not structural–qualities. in�ind a varietyboards ofin standardrandom lengths sizes. Aside from commercially fungispeci�ically, are responsible white rot) for fungi spalting. and a available spalted species, which Keep in mind, however, that most Where to fi nd What you’ll pay tend to be limited, it’s important airborne molds don’t spalt. spalted wood Spalted maple can be found for to note that when hunting down For starters, check out any spalted wood some species three categories of spalt: The woodpile or logs lying on the serve better than others. Spalted sycamore Curly maple bowl displaying zone Below the bark, you’ll �ind as little as $4.25/board foot. These are the lighter-colored and walnut box by Paul lines, bleaching, pink stain, green wood and causes strength loss of the natural decay process of TheSmall level spalted of spalting (stabilized) impacts turning woods, which provide good Anthony, featured in the Dec/Jan 2009 stain, orange stain, and yellow stain. �irst, “bleaching,” lightens the wood.forest �loor,The most since common spalting type is part to blanks sell for around $5.00. contrasts. Smart choices in North issue of Woodcraft Magazine (no. 26). 70 woodcraftmagazine.com June/July 2014(referred to as punk). The second price.Photos: Sara A highlyC. Robinson, spalted Staff ; Box 2 photo: × 2 Doug× 8" Rowan June/July 2014 woodcraftmagazine.com 71 turning, creating a safety hazard, to wear respiratory protection not to mention a waste of time. when working with any wood. In some cases, you can stabilize That’s because wood dust can the wood if it’s not too far gone cause allergic sensitivity and even cancer. If you’re wearing as shown at left or shellac. Once youwith bring thin CAthe (cyanacrylate wood inside for glue) or better mask, you’re blocking use, dry it out slowly. Storing whatever(as you should spores be) may a NIOSH exist 95and protecting against mold as well. the moisture. Sealing the ends Standard cutters should work Inject cracks and soft punk wood withit in a Anchorseal 3-mil trash or bag Pentacryl contains with thin CA to stabilize it. will help prevent checking. wood, but avoid running suspect spalted�ine when boards machining through spalted the log to inspect its suitability using Working spalted jointer, planer, or tablesaw. I a handsaw or chainsaw. Cut wood in the shop out a piece and examine it for Safety concerns abound in the telltale signs of spalting. Does literature about working with About Our Contributor the piece delaminate in rings spalted wood. But are they valid? In additi on to being a or layers? Are there hairline It is highly unlikely that there woodworker, Sara C. Robinson cracks? Can you scratch it with are fungal spores inside wood. is currently an assistant Spores live on the surface, if professor of anatomy and pop out easily when pried with they exist at all, and not all fungi renewable materials in the ayour penknife? �ingernail Does or the do woodchunks feel produce spores all the time. Department of Wood Science too punky or soft when you press If you have a spore fear, spray and Engineering at Oregon your wood with 91% isopropyl State University in Corvallis, the piece or log may be too far Oregon. She has researched gone.your �inger You want against wood it? that If so, won’t than Beyond that, careful spalti ng for ten years. come apart when machining or woodworkersalcohol (available know at drugthey needstores). Go spalt: a beginner’s guide There is a small, dedicated team try your hand at spalti ng, consider the moisture evaporate. Spray of researchers that have studied their following lab-proven process. down the inside of your tub. Place spalti ng. They can get wood of To get started, gather the the wood in the tub, and pack any size and species, in general, needed materials: 91% isopropyl the pieces together ti ghtly. The to spalt in about 12 weeks or less. alcohol, paper towels, wood to more the surface areas touch, the (See their site online at h tt p : / inoculate, and fruiti ng bodies off bett er. Break apart the mushrooms www.northernspalti ng.com.) To of hardwood logs (at least two and rub them over the surfaces diff erent types of fruiti ng bodies, of the wood. When done, leave if not more). In additi on, you’ll the remains in the bott om of the want water and a dark-colored tub. Put the lid on and store the plasti c bin or tub with a snap-on tub somewhere warm (above lid (size is up to you). See the 70° F is best). Every so oft en, to photo at left . If your wood is dry, keep the contents moist, fi ll a pint soak it underwater overnight glass with water and pour it into in a tub to get moisture in it. the tub and over the wood. Wait Next, spray down the outside about 12 weeks and open up the of your wood with the alcohol tub. Take the top piece out. Plane to clean it. Do it fi rst by spraying or turn it down to check on the and wiping down the wood with spalti ng. If you like the results, paper towels; then spray and let take out the rest of the wood.
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