Creating spalted wood for handles

rick-in-seattle · #1 02-17-2005, 12:31 AM

Here is a very good article on spalting wood.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/...paltedwood.htm

AlArchie · #2 02-17-2005, 06:00 PM

That's a great article...thanks, Rick!

Here's another bit of trivia regarding spalting wood. Some woods in some woods (hehehe) when they get past the spalting point and if the fungal infection is of the right variety, display a unique display known as "fox fire". If you are walking in the woods at night without a light and happen to kick over one of these "spalters", you'll see a faint blue-green glow given off from the disturbed wood. It will continue to glow until the moisture content decreases and you have only a rotten piece of wood in your hand. It's weird seeing this light blue glow in the dark woods, but something you will come to look for. It's fairly rare, but quite beautiful.

Al

squbrigg · #3 02-17-2005, 07:05 PM

"Light blue glow" in wood......I always thought that was the wood fairy's house lights! Perhaps I shouldn't go in the woods while I've been .......hic !...... drinking........I see all kinds of wierd lights! That is......besides the pleasant glow from within!

Sorry....the devil made me do it!

Bob

AlArchie · #4 02-18-2005, 07:54 AM

Bob, that's a WARM glow, not a blue glow! Not many folks get into the woods at night...too bad! There's still a lot to see and hear after the lights go out. Wolves, coyotes, bobcats, and owls all do their best work after dark.
Besides that, night in the forest is GREAT fodder for the imagination! Gotta get out there, though.

Al

Colin_Partridge · #5 02-18-2005, 09:33 AM

Sounds like something out of the "Blair Witch" movie.LOL

All kidding aside you are absolutly right the if you think that you see a lot of things in the woods in the day time, go at night and the whole forrest comes alive. Probably because most animals and insects are nocturnal. Al I cant wait to try that I know where there are a lot of spalted maple trees.
Colin