Is this spalted birch?

[Stringmaker]

I recently made these two spoons to give away:

It broke my heart actually as they are my best two pieces to date; especially the one at the bottom as the symmetry and proportions are so nice.

Anyway, I have never seen birch come up with such an interesting finish before, usually it is much cleaner. Is that spalting or is something else going on?

Ta everso.

 

[Mesquite]

Lovely spoons SM, I can see why you're proud of them

As for spalting, it looks like could possibly be the start. Normally the spalting 'viens' are much darker

 

[ozzy1977]

I think if it had ben left for a bit longer before harvesting it would have been spalted, very nice work either way

 

[Stringmaker]

Thanks chaps.

I have a bit of previous when it comes to starting gift projects and then keeping them for myself. It was really hard to part with them

 

[Two Socks]

Lovely spoons, especially the bottom one! The recipient is a lucky chap indeed.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Nice spoons there bud, keep it up

 

[Clouston98]

Great work! I'd probably say the same as others looks like the early stages of it, you've made some cracking spoons there!

 

[HHazeldean]

Those are some sweet looking spoons there - and yeah I also agree it looks like very early stage spalting.

 

[Stringmaker]

Thanks folks.

Are there any outward signs of spalting on the wood/bark or is it pot luck when you begin to work it?

 

[Maxwellol]

Really nice work, well done.

I posted some birch spoon pics recently asking the same question and folks here consensed(is that a word?) that they had some spalting.

But with mine, there were moss-green "veins" (as Mesquite described) running through it. I agree with the suggestions here that if your materials look like they were on their way to it.

 

[Dean]

Great work there I like them both.