Silver maple

I have a lot of this stuff behind the garage under a tarp. It's all starting to get that dark blue coloring. Almost looks like ink. Is that considered spalting?

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jgo317

Registered: July 2006
Location: Whiteland, IN
Posts: 181

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Date: Wed July 12, 2006
Views: 963
Keywords: silver maple

Comments

Ugly Duck

Lee Goehring

It might not actually qualify as "spalting" just yet (I'm not real certain exactly what does), but looks to be on it's way. If the wood is still green or at least not real dry, this is probably a form of fungus that plays a part in the decay process - and will lead to spalting eventually. It might happen pretty quickly too, so keep an eye on it or it may go too far and get punky.
It looks very much like the "blue stain" I've seen in several pine species.

#1 Wed July 12, 2006 2:15am

Rev. Doug Miller

Rev. Doug Miller

It's blue stain. Spalt in maple will leave black lines. Often the fungal colonies will color the wood on either side of the lines a different color. That's what you really want. Some people don't like the blue stain, but I really like it most of the time.

#2 Thu July 13, 2006 2:07am

jgo317

So what causes the stain? I wasn't sure if it is a fungus or a chemical reaction to exposure to the air. Kinda like how walnut sapwood turns a little green temporarily due to end grain exposure. But this stuff is certainly not temporary. I have a goblet that has it and it's practically black with the linseed oil finish. The above bowl is only as light as it is in the picture because that stain is actually on the other side of it. I like it, but more importantly my wife loves it.

#3 Thu July 13, 2006 2:57am