Spalting how to

[Harry Robinette]

I need a formula for Spalting wood. I have 4pc of Paper Bark Birch I'd like to spalt:confused: ( I know bad spelling). I know some of you say you spalted some of your wood. Some help would be great.

[Nate Davey]

I've seen it Spalding and I've seen it Spalting. This link (http://www.finewoodworking.com/blog/woodworking-life/tag/spalting) recommends not adding anything just letting nature roll.

[Scott Hackler]

Harry, I have had good luck with spalting maple by sealing one side of the log and placing the other end straigh in the dirt and sawdust outside my shop. This was in the shade and occationally I would water it down with the hose. Left it for about a month or two and when I ripped the log in half it was spalted like crazy. I have also heard of turners placing the wood in decomposing leaves and covering them with a tarp.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Harry - we have a member here who is an actual expert in the field of spalting. Look up anything by Seri Robinson for info on spalting - she even has an article in the current AAW magazine. Here are a couple of threads to get you started:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?131849-Spalting-Birch-Question
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?148113-Spalting-some-wood....

[Jon Nuckles]

If the number of birch bark tubes in the woods is any indication, the time between spalting and rotting to dust is pretty short in birch, so keep tabs on it.

[Bob Bergstrom]

http://www.northernspalting.com/Here is one of the best sites based on science rather than what people do.

[Cody Colston]

http://www.northernspalting.com/Here is one of the best sites based on science rather than what people do.

That is Seri Robinson's site...the lady Steve mentioned. She has a series of blogs at FWW magazine (access thru her site) that is a treasure trove of information on spalting.

If your Birch is in log form, simply seal the ends and place it in a shaded area. You can cover it with leaves but that's not necessary. Pay no attention to anyone who recommends using beer to promote spalting. It's a waste of the beer. The fungal spores needed for spalting are already present on the log, on the leaves and even in the air we breathe.

Since the fungi that cause spalting like temps around 80 degrees, your logs may not spalt much outdoors until next year.

[Nate Davey]

The link I left up top is the FWW Spalting Blog.