Spalted

When on our walk on the Bush estate, among the splendid collection of veteran and aged trees we found  the usual evidence of good management, that of felling.

This tree was clearly unwell when felled, as witness the discolouration in the heartwood, and the dark irregular veins, called spalting.

 This is defined as 'any form of wood colouration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress' . Spalted timber is prized by woodworkers for the interesting pattern on the finished product.