Hello all,

We had a big storm front whip through yesterday and it took out a lot
of trees in the area. I got a 16' x approx. 13" dia. hunk of basswood
from the neighbor's tree that was blocking the road (yes, I got
permission first) more because it was there and I had the room to
store it than because I care much about basswood one way or the other.

Here's the big question, though- I'd like to get this creamy white
wood to darken a little before I get it on the lathe. Anyone know if
I can get a good spalting pattern on it if I bury in sawdust or
something, or does it just rot immediately like paper birch? If not,
I figure I've got a huge supply of good carving wood at any rate
(maybe I'll try making some black forest table legs or something), and
the price was right (sort of, anyhow- I'm beginning to see that free
wood is not always that free if you harvest it by hand and carry it a
few blocks... especially the next day.)

Plan on going after the big yellow birch that went down next to the
Hardees today if they'll let me have that one, too. If not, there's
bound to be a few that went down in the forest that I can nab. Came
at just the right time- I was starting to run out of logs. If I'm
lucky, the cherry tree I've had my eye on got blown over too- I won't
cut it down, but I'll take it if it falls!