Blue pine question

[Anneh]

Hi all,
I read somewhere on here to make blue pine to wrap a green pine board in plastic and put it up for awhile. At least, that's what I think I read! Anyway, a friend gave my husband a huge, downed pine tree about 6 weeks ago. We took it to the sawmill and had 1" boards cut from it and stored them to cure.
Yesterday, it dawned on me to try to make some blue pine. I wrapped a board and put it in the basement.
My question is - am I too late? The board has been sitting for 6 weeks. Also, if it's not too late, is there something else I should do besides just wrap in plastic?
I know this is on here somewhere but I can't find it.
Thanks for all your help.
Anne

[Jim McDonald]

From my understadning, blue pine is caused by a fungal infection (infestion), in certain species.

Just do a search at the top of the page for "blue pine" and you will get tons of articles on the topic, but you will have to wade through everything.

BTW--did you get your blade holders??

[Anneh]

Hey Jim,
I did a search and it came up with a gazillion threads so just thought I'd ask. I'm going to keep it wrapped up a couple of months and see what happens.
Yes I did get my blade holders. Thanks for asking. When I showed hubby the picture, he remembered he had one in the workshop he took off something else. Voila! It's working so much better. I can't thank you enough.
Anne

[Bruce-P]

If the wood is already dry, add a bit of water. As the fungal spores will not naturally be present in healthy wood, you will need to add a source of them. If you have any bark from that tree, crumble up some and add it. If you have access to it, some (undried) blue pine, or a handfull of forest floor/garden dirt may also help.

I have some pine "blueing" in my garage which is covered with spores, but I don't think the post office would take kindly to an envelope full of fine blue/black powder.
________

Bruce P,

[Anneh]

Thanks Bruce! That's what I needed. And you're right - I think the post office would frown a little bit.
I have some garden dirt and I'll spray some water on it and see what happens.
Thanks
Anne

[jim_mex]

Hi Anne - if you have any lumber yards in your area who produce fresh cut lower grade pine for construction timber, shuttering and the like, try looking for some contaminated pine which is still fairly damp. As Bruce said, scraping some fungus infected surface grime is a good way to propagate the infection - also although it sounds a little unsavoury if you do find some grime try mixing it with a little very old manure - not fresh! - into a watery muddy solution and then paint this on the damp wood before wrapping in plastic.

Another source is to take a trip into any local wood particularly any that have water or a moist environment nearby and see if you can find any mouldy fallen trees

According to the locals here they say that the fungus is spread when the wood is stored in damp but warm conditions so be sure to keep the wrapped boards in a warmish environment. You might also try wrapping the boards with a darkish plastic sheeting as very often these fungii propogate better in the dark. This will also stop a horribly nasty green algae growth

PS - Kinda reminds me of growing mushrooms when I was a kid. Only downside is that my success rate was only about 30% ! Sometimes you just have to put your trust in mother nature

Good luck!

[Anneh]

Thanks Jim. I'm going to try some of your tips - maybe the manure thing since we have plenty of cows in our area. Also, I have it wrapped now in clear plastic so will get some dark.
Thanks! will let you know if and when I have some blue pine!
Anne

[jim_mex]

Hi Anne - I reckon it would be good fun to see you out in the fields searching for cow crap and then stirring up the witches brew of manure and fungus - maybe throw in a toads leg and a rat's tail for good measure - LOL!

Seriously though, make sure any manure is really well decomposed otherwise you can burn the fungus spores by accident

Happy cultivating!