Spalting occurs when wood rot fungus attacks a tree or, in this case, fallen branch. I posted some from this shoot a few years back, here and here, but hadn’t worked on this composition until now. It’s a prized bit of wood that some crafts people turn into decorative bowls and boxes. This might have been too far gone for such work.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
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This take is the bluest and most abstract of the lot. Other than in your blog, I don’t remember ever seeing a picture of spalted wood. Here’s how Wiktionary describes it: “Spalted wood is that which has been cut from a naturally cured, dead, or dying hardwood tree whose wood is normally light in color (such as pecan), and which exhibits patterns of dark stain (crazed) lines and splotches caused by microorganisms and/or fungus. Although slightly more brittle and porous than normal wood from the same species of tree, spalted wood nevertheless can be used to make decorative items and small pieces of furniture.”
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It is seen more in hardwoods than soft but does occur at times there also. Nice that I could show you something new.
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I’m always fond of muted blue and brown combinations, whatever the shades. I enjoy seeing the results of woodworkers’ skill with spalted wood, too. At the various craft fairs and woodworkers’ shows, especially in the hill country, there often are bowls, vases, and decorative pieces of various sorts. One of my favorite artists is Ted Armulowicz. He’s won prize after prize around the state for items like this.
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That’s a wonderful vase, although not very good for showing flowers…maybe silk. But it stands on its own as a beautiful creation of a talented woodworker. Burl is also a source of art pieces by folks such as Ted.
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I’m not nearly so “artsy”…I find this abstract reminds me of the head of Porky Pig using his snout to root through garbage to get at a large piece of lettuce. (I have a problem…)
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Well…that image did not occur to me. But now it won’t leave either. LOL
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Beautiful composition
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Thanks, Melissa. This decaying tree offered so many comps.
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You’ve educated me this morning – I was not aware of “spalted” wood, which I often find in limbs or stumps of dead hackberry trees in our woods. I would imagine I would also find it in the oaks, pecans and walnut trees here too. It’s quite beautiful.
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Spalting is more common in hardwoods and if the right fungus drifts along then most any tree will “suffer” from the meeting. I imagine that you have seen examples of its beauty in the work of craftspeople.
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Nature here has turned into a fantastic artist of abstraction. Great discovery, Steve!
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Well seen, Steve. Our posts today are similar nature abstracts!
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A happy coincidence, Eliza. Thanks!
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Nice natural “Art” image Steve! Very “cool” image!
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Thanks, Reed!
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That’s really beautiful, but I’ll bet you’re right that it wouldn’t make a very good bowl. Maybe piece of art for the wall…:)
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Yes, I think it would crumble if not treated with care. But on a shelf or wall would probably look attractive.
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I love the look of spalted wood, but I’d always assumed it was the result of a chemical process! Thanks.
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In a way it is chemical as the fungus does its work. Glad you enjoyed the post, Allison. Thanks!
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It’s beautiful. So much texture and so many different hues.
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Thanks, Tanja. Nature is just full of surprises and who’d think fungus can be beautiful? 🙂
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I’m no longer surprised by anything nature can present us. 🙂
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Interesting found, nature abstract! Nicely seen.
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Over two years this log offered a few opportunities for abstracts. I haven’t found another like it but keep looking. Thanks!
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