Inducing zone lines and melanin formation for decorative purposes on North American western wood species,with emphasis on conifers

Abstract

Twenty-one wood species native to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, including conifers, were tested to determine if any of the commonly utilised melanin producing spalting fungi could generate sufficient spalting coverage to compete within the decorative woods market. Zone lines were readily produced by Xylaria polymorpha on Douglas fir, redwood, myrtle, and cottonwood. Blue stain from Scytalidium lignicola was prolific on myrtle and ash. These results indicate that a number of Pacific Northwest native wood species are suitable for controlled spalting, including two conifers. The prevalence of spalting on these wood species should lead to their increased value, and allow the Pacific Northwest to compete within the spalted woods market.