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Spalted beech (Read 232 times)
 
Chris Neilan
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Spalted beech
Aug 1st, 2019 at 6:32am
 
When my mom passed two years ago a beech tree that was behind my childhood home was being taken down. It, like mom, had a long good life, but had reached the end. The city worker dropped off a large piece to my office. So large I needed a boom truck to get it to my house. It spalted nicely. I have cut some nice bowl blanks from it and would like to make a salad mixing bowl and matching salad bowls. Being spalted (and now quite dry), is there any health concern? I plan on a walnut oil finish.
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Ralph Fahringer
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Ellsworth, Maine, USA
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Re: Spalted beech
Reply #1 - Aug 1st, 2019 at 8:21am
 
This is one of those situations where the only way I could possibly help you is to have a rather large piece of it and do an experiment on it....all in the name of science, of course!!
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robo_hippy
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Eugene, OR, USA
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Re: Spalted beech
Reply #2 - Aug 1st, 2019 at 9:05am
 
Seri Robinson, aka Dr. Spalt, says that the fungi that cause the spalt lines in wood have evolved to eat plant based stuff, not people. However, out in the woods, or the barn yard, there can be other types of fungi that can be bad for us. She does have a book out and some video clips up. Interesting young woman.

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Ed Weber
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Wilton, California, USA
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Re: Spalted beech
Reply #3 - Aug 1st, 2019 at 9:58am
 
The most common theories are;
Once it's dry it's safe
If you don't breathe the dust it's safe
You're not eating it so it's safe
A film forming finish will seal it and make it safe
If you stabilize it (impregnate, pressure pot) it's safe

Salad bowl use (vinegar & oil) isn't safe
Oil finish will make the spalt line a weak spot

Again, I agree with Reed, find someone who knows like Dr. Seri C. Robinson

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