Spalted Wood
Spalted wood is a favorite of many woodworkers because of its interesting and unusual coloration. Under the right conditions, certain decay fungi that have infected the wood (sometimes while it is still living unfortunately) will create blue, pink, gray, black or even several-colored patterns in the wood. There are methods for producing artificial spalting but they seldom have the same appeal as the real thing.
If the wood is harvested at the right time it makes for some good material to work with. If harvested too late, the wood is crumbly, soft or “punky” and isn’t very good. Some outlets sell spalted wood of various varieties. Some patient entrepreneurs even intentionally inoculate trees with fungi hoping to harvest a bounty of valuable spalted lumber after many years.
I hate to admit it (because of the title) but Spalting, A Fungus Amongus by Andrew Hilton does a god job of discussing spalted wood from both a woodworker’s and a biological perspective.
More on spalted wood:
Spalted Wood (from Fine Woodworking)
How to use fungus to make unique, decorative wood pieces with colors and streaking
Tags: decay fungi, spalting, woodworking
I just bought a beautiful piece of spinning equipment, made all in wood and very traditional. But now I am wishing it was spalted wood! Some of the pictures you’ve linked to really are gorgeous and fascinating.
Thanks Emily. Glad you liked the links.