Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Fungus on Black Birch Timbers

Hi all,

Straightforward enough question here. I milled up some black birch this season that had been on the ground for a few years. There is some fungus growing out of the timber. Some turkey tails and oyster mushrooms and some other types I dont know. My understanding is that for there to be fruiting mushrooms on the timbers themselves, that means the fungi is present thoughout the timber.

My question is, are these timbers still safe to use, or will they just get eaten up and rot away? If I use them indoors (dry, warm -> aka not prime mushroom habitat) are they usable? What about outdoors, where they still may get wet and cold?

Pictures of one timber can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielcha/

Thanks,
Dan

I would avoid use of the timbers as structural elements in all cases but if the wood is spalted it might be desirable for a variety of artistic woodworking uses ie turning, trim, casework panels where the beauty of organic randomness shines.

I would fear that the timbers would continue to decay even in an interior environment for sometime while the core of the timber is still moist.

I agree with Roger. After looking at the pictures, I would avoid these timber for structural purposes. Even in they seem to be sound, they may well not be. As extensive as the fungus already is, I would consider them fully compromised. But, as Roger said, all is not lost. Mill them into boards, and either use the spalted wood or find someone who is willing to may too much for it!

DLB

Hello,

You can find out how far and how badly the wood is damaged by poking and prying around. When you move it inside it will stabilize pretty quickly just as it develops fungus pretty quickly. I don't believe the fungus will continue to live on the residual moisture in the wood once it is in a dry place. When you poke in and find sound wood, that is more or less the wood you will get from the time it's no longer exposed to the rain and weather onwards. In any case birch should not be used where it would be exposed to or come in contact with non atmospheric moisture.

Greetings,

Don Wagstaff