Blue Wood II
The question of the blue wood is still vexing us, so I did some research at my wife’s urging. I discovered a couple of things about blue wood.
First, Fidge was correct in thinking that it was a mold, sort of. According to what I found online, the blue is caused by a fungus not a mold. I’m lacking in botanical skills and have no idea what the exact difference between a mold & fungus are. They are both filed in the same categories in my mind: things that you shouldn’t eat on food (unless it is a French cheese), or things to be killed with bleach before you paint.
What causes the bluing fungus? “As with other pines, Ponderosa can be subject to blue stain if a felled tree or green lumber becomes too warm before it is dried.” (from Western Wood Products Association’s Ponderosa Pine Species Facts, August 1995)
There seems to be some controversy as to whether the bluing compromises the strength of the wood. Who is right? I have not a clue.
As per some of the comments about the blue wood, the wood bleach sounds like a good idea to me but it is too late. My mother-in-law is not a patient woman. She’s already started staining the floor. I’m not sure what concoction she is using but it looks good so far. I’ll try to get some pictures and details over the weekend.
First, Fidge was correct in thinking that it was a mold, sort of. According to what I found online, the blue is caused by a fungus not a mold. I’m lacking in botanical skills and have no idea what the exact difference between a mold & fungus are. They are both filed in the same categories in my mind: things that you shouldn’t eat on food (unless it is a French cheese), or things to be killed with bleach before you paint.
What causes the bluing fungus? “As with other pines, Ponderosa can be subject to blue stain if a felled tree or green lumber becomes too warm before it is dried.” (from Western Wood Products Association’s Ponderosa Pine Species Facts, August 1995)
There seems to be some controversy as to whether the bluing compromises the strength of the wood. Who is right? I have not a clue.
As per some of the comments about the blue wood, the wood bleach sounds like a good idea to me but it is too late. My mother-in-law is not a patient woman. She’s already started staining the floor. I’m not sure what concoction she is using but it looks good so far. I’ll try to get some pictures and details over the weekend.
posted by John | 3:50 AM
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