Bowls: Ambrosia Maple

This 7" bowl was one of those "Happy Accidents" that occur to woodturners. A neighbor had been clearing some storm-downed trees on a family property and generously gave me a section of a maple. I was quite pleased to find midway into the turning process, that what I previously had though of as rather plain maple was indeed Ambrosia maple.

Ambrosia maple (sometimes known as "wormy maple" comes from regular types of softer maple that has been invaded by the Ambrosia beetle. It tunnels all throughout the wood and it's processes cause a fungus to occur, creating grey and black streaks to the tunnels and surrounding wood. This does not significantly effect the structural integrity of the wood and is prized for it's unique look. (No, the beetles no longer inhabited the wood when it came time to turn it.)