Is the dark stuff under the bark on a maple slab mold?
pmc2022
| Posted in General Discussion on
I have a spalted maple slab that is solid and dry. No mold on the surfaces. I’m sanding some of the edge to lighten the darkness there. Is it mold I’m removing? I’ve sprayed it with a mold remover, but it didn’t change. The darkness does disappear somewhat along the edge when I sand deeper, but still lingers in other areas. It is darkest where the spalting has those nice black lines.
Replies
Fungi, not mold. Spalting in wood is created from fungi. Since it requires moisture, the fungi would be more active just below the bark, in cases where the bark was left on.
Thanks for this John. I've been taking out most of this fungi with a wire disc and sander. The powdered wood/fungi is hard to contain. Is it a health concern?
It's not particularly hazardous. Some types of fungi are edible.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2009/04/14/working-with-spalted-wood
John, thanks again! I did look for info in FWW, but didn't look hard enough. Thanks for doing my homework for me.
Between the bark and the sapwood is Cambium, a thin dark layer.
https://www.davidstimber.com.au/resource-centre/timber-properties/sapwood-and-heartwood/
Thanks, Gulfstar!
Fungi = mold, mildew, mushrooms, etc.; they're all fungi. You are correct that some are edible, but some are quite hazardous, it all depends........ Fungi are not hazardous in themselves, but some produce mycotoxins that can be very dangerous. Identification of the bad boys is very difficult outside a lab. Thus, breathing "fungi/mold" is not an especially good idea no matter what the specie.
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