Spalting

Zone lines in spalted wood

Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress. Although spalting can cause weight loss and strength loss in the wood, the unique coloration and patterns of spalted wood are sought by woodworkers.[1]

Heavily spalted mango wood is often used in the construction of ukuleles.
Spalted beech bowl
Spalted oak bowl
Macro of spalting in beech showing white rot and zone lines
Spalted maple electric guitar
Mango wood with fine spalting was used to build this Romero Creations Tiny Tenor Ukulele
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Robinson07 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).