The Elegance of Decay: Fungal Forms

There is so much to love about spalted wood. It has always been very much part of my repertoire because it appeals to me on many different levels. I find it to be incredibly beautiful and its beauty stems from a process of decay caused by white-rot decay fungi. The fungi create zone lines (black markings) in wood where territories of competing fungi meet: a fungal battle over territory. This process can take a few years and if taken too far can destroy the wood completely. Knowing the moment to call an end to the decaying process is key to the art of making spalted wood.

Fungal battles over territory