The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: PartTimeJack on December 17, 2019, 10:57:51 PM

Title: What causes this in maple?
Post by: PartTimeJack on December 17, 2019, 10:57:51 PM
Heard it's beetles, or worms of some kind, that cause these black streaks. Is that correct, and is there still any lumber value in it with the black streaks?



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/29607/20191217_162222.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1576641538)
 
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: Don P on December 17, 2019, 11:14:58 PM
Ambrosia beetle most likely. I like it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/softmaple.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1207187469)
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: low_48 on December 17, 2019, 11:33:16 PM
If woodturners weren't such cheap skates, Ambrosia Maple would have high value. They love to turn it, hate to pay for it. But in a log that size, maybe it would be worth a shot to look some up.
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: WDH on December 18, 2019, 07:37:02 AM
The streaks are caused by the trees reaction to being attacked by the ambrosia beetle.  Hence, the name, ambrosia maple.  It can be strikingly beautiful wood. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_3095.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1576672583)
 
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: Dan_Shade on December 18, 2019, 08:27:15 AM
Danny, 


Do you know the scientific name of the Ambrosia beetle? 

I've previously attempted to research them, but have not learned much. 

Dan 
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: realzed on December 18, 2019, 12:22:22 PM
Ambrosia beetle - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrosia_beetle)
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: PartTimeJack on December 18, 2019, 01:35:54 PM
Very interesting, Thank you for the replies. 

Got about 6 logs of this size with the marking. Diffidently going to look for a buyer, or may have it milled my self.
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: samandothers on December 18, 2019, 07:36:57 PM
I really like the affect the beetles leave.  I would think you would want to keep it or sale for good money.  
Title: Re: What causes this in maple?
Post by: Clark on December 18, 2019, 10:21:42 PM
Quote from: low_48 on December 17, 2019, 11:33:16 PM
If woodturners weren't such cheap skates...
I thought that was just the wood turners around here!
Clark