Enclosed spaces Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Just returned home from our trip to Keats Island where we have a cabin on the beach. I often cut wood either from the forest or find it on the beach. 4 years ago I cut down and stored a nice piece of Holly and then forgot about it. The picture shows the lovely result. Doing some research on Spalted wood I found this useful site. Think I am going to try this so I don't have to wait so long for the spalting process. www.northernspalting.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Holly will turn blue and gray very easily special care must be taken to keep it pristine white. The dark spalting lines take more time,and the right conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Are you sure that's holly? Every holly tree I've ever seen has smooth bark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Google it, large trees have different bark on the trunk. Smooth bark on upper trunk and branches. So much attention to tiny details in botany. Over 30 years since college botany classes and stuff like this still clicks in my brain, what I had for lunch yesterday ? not a clue ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thal'll make some pretty boxes as it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enclosed spaces Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 I cut it down myself, so I'm sure it's Holly. The outer layer of bark is rotten and peeling. Holly in B.C. Is considered an invasive species( it grows everywhere) , hoping to get some more from neighbours. Will try to keep it the soft white colour it usually is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Cut it in winter or spring before the sap starts to rise. Avoid letting it touch the ground. Get it cut and drying as soon as possible,out of the weather is a must. Fungus is part of the cause of the blue/ grey stains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Dollabill Posted October 5, 2023 Report Share Posted October 5, 2023 Need some help/advice/info PLEASE! Felled a giant Holly tree about 2 weeks ago, got it on my sawmill last week…. The result was some of the most beautiful spalted slabs I’ve ever seen, however… it has the worst odor I’ve ever experienced from slabbing out a tree! It has been air drying for a week now and the smell is just as pungent as it was on day one! There is termite infestation/rot about 3ft up the trunk, but even the slabs that are separated from the rot have the odor. I’m not even sure that-that is the cause of the odor. Have any of you ever experienced this problem? What can be done to fix it? Thanks in advance for your time and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 6, 2023 Report Share Posted October 6, 2023 As noted elsewhere, holly sap contains compounds that are very attractive to various fungi. This is most likely why your freshly-milled slabs have spalting, and fungus seems a likely source of the ordor as well. Spraying the surface with a fungicide might help, and draining out the free water ASAP can't hurt. Any chance you can stand the slabs on end for a few days, so gravity can help drain the water? Be sure to suspend them or raise them on space blocks to prevent the end from sitting in a puddle of drained water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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