The Effects of Copper in Large-Scale Single-Fungus and Dual-Fungi Wood Systems

Copper sulfate can be utilized to stimulate fungal pigment production for commercial spalting applications. This research explored two larger-scale uses for fungus stimulation by copper: “drawing” exclusion areas on sugar maple by surface application of copper sulfate and the use of copper sulfate in dual-fungi inoculation systems to increase the number of colors and types of spalting produced. Sugar maple boards treated with 2 mL of 0.13 percent copper sulfate in an S pattern and inoculated with Xylaria polymorpha showed a distinct area of clear wood, followed by thick dark zone lines and then by a general black pigmentation expanding outward from the S. Sugar maple blocks treated with 0.06 kg/m³ copper sulfate and inoculated with X. polymorpha/Arthrographis cuboidea had fewer black zone lines than the control blocks but more pink zone lines and internal pink stain.