How to spalt wood. To help logs spalt naturally outside i store the logs on their ends in a shady area as shown below. Allow the wood to air dry before using. Any time you have moistureheatfood and wood it should spalt. Place a freshly cut log.
Spalting is divided into three main types. Once a piece has been air dried the decaying or spalting process will stop leaving you with a beautiful piece of wood. I fellbuy logs march to may and then let them set for up to two years to spalt. Woodworkers commonly use these methods to cause wood to spalt.
I spalted some english walnut and it was knock your eyes out beautiful. Plus its easier. Make your own spalted wood. I set them out in the woods in the shade to age.
I am spalting some 24in nip in a plastic 55 gal drum. Spalt is mold in the wood. Pigmentation white rot and zone linesspalted wood may exhibit one or all of these types in varying degrees. Check out this step by step guide on how to spalt wood.
While maple isnt the only wood that will spalt its one of several pale hardwoods that are prone to it birch and beech being two others. I find the moisture stays constant in a large garbage bag. Monitor the spalting progress monthlythe optimal conditions youve created can make it happen fast. Helping nature spalt wood.
Spalting spalting is an artform to itself in woodworking and dates back centuries. They will work most effectively if the temperature is kept where the fungi will thrive between 60 and 80 degrees f. To help maintain an even dampness around the boards pour in and then wet some vermiculite. Hence the newfound interest in spalted specimens.
Thus given time it spalted. Its how many in the marquetry and antaria world used to color wood. Spalt wood in a bag or plastic bin. Wood rot isnt exactly what youd consider attractive but it can be under the right conditions.
Air dried wood comes already laden with dormant spores of different fungi so there is no need to introduce more spores.