What Is Spalted Beech?
Spalted Beech is European Beech timber (Fagus sylvatica) that has undergone natural fungal spalting, creating unique, decorative patterns in the wood.
- Spaltingoccurs when fungi colonize the wood, usually in dead, fallen, or slow-drying logs.
- The fungi produce dark lines, streaks, and zones of color, resulting in highly figure-rich timber.
- It’s primarily prized for aesthetic applications, not structural purposes.
Spalted Beech is sometimes called “fiddleback” or “fumed beech” when certain patterns or colorations are achieved.
🪵 Types of Spalting
- Zone Lines
- Dark lines forming boundaries between different fungal colonies.
- Pigmentation
- Fungi create colored streaks in the wood (brown, black, blue, or green).
- White Rot
- Softened areas with bleached appearance; may need stabilization before use.
🏡 Common Uses
Spalted Beech is primarily decorative:
Furniture – tabletops, chair backs, inlays
Veneers – luxury panels and marquetry
Woodturning – bowls, pens, and decorative objects
Musical instruments – guitars, violins (rare)
Interior design features – wall panels, trims
