From Decay to Beauty: The Story Behind Spalted Maple

There’s something special about giving forgotten wood a second chance.

Nature has its own quiet way of adding character to the forest floor. You might walk past a fallen maple for example, or it's branch's and not think much of it—just another tree touched by time and decay. But under the bark, something remarkable is happening.

That’s where Spalting comes in.

What Is Spalting?

Spalting is what happens when wood—like maple—is touched by a natural fungus. It's nature’s way of writing its own patterns, etching delicate black lines and soft color variations across the grain. Some see it as decay. I see it as art that only nature could create.

Each piece of spalted wood tells its own story—where it came from, how it aged, and what time and weather gave back to it. No two are ever alike. That’s what makes working with it such an honor. Spalting can occur in most any wood species. The Pepper Shaker below, is from spalted Maple that has been stabilized. The Salt Shaker, is Curly Maple.

A Handmade Set with History

This handcrafted salt shaker and pepper shaker set started as rough, maple blanks—full of irregularity, lightness, and charm. The pepper shaker is Stabilized Spalted Maple. The salt shaker is Curly Maple.

Stabilizing is a process where the wood is dried and infused with resin, strengthening it from within while locking in those unique patterns. It keeps the soul of the wood intact—its natural lines, contrasts, and warmth—while making it strong enough to become something practical, like a shaker you’ll reach for every day at the dinner table.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the stabilizing process, this article from Woodenify does a great job explaining it: www.thewoodenify.com

🌲 More Than a Kitchen Tool

To me, these aren’t just salt and pepper shakers. They’re small sculptures. A collaboration between forest, time, and human hands. They bring the natural textures of the forest right to your kitchen or table—and offer a reminder that even aging wood still has a lot of beauty to give.

See What Else the Forest Has Offered

Each turning I do at Mountain View Turnings starts with a simple goal: give the wood a voice. From pens to shakers and beyond, I craft each piece just a few steps from the snowy view of the Smoky Mountains outside my home workshop.

Take a look at what’s fresh on the bench—and if you have a question about any of the woods I use, I’m always happy to share.

Thanks for stopping by.

— Mountain View Turnings