Is this BLACK MOLD????? But seriously is it?

[internet.user.human]

I bought some boards from a local guy that has a small sawmill, he said these were white oak. I know that there is a lot of color overlap between red and white oak, but these look pretty red to me. These were not stacked well at the property where I picked it up and were pretty much open to the elements since Dec 2022.

The reason I mention that is because there’s also that black staining. I’ve read elsewhere on this forum that white oak will do this quite often but I want to be sure as it’s going to be wood for vanities in my bathroom. It’s 4/4 so I’m not sure if ill be able to get it down to 3/4” and get rid of all the staining. I’ve already soaked it with hot water, borax and dawn soap and it didn’t do anything. (That’s why it’s wet in the pic.)

Am I looking at something that isn’t a big deal or is that mold and I should throw this wood away?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[guysmiley]

to me it looks like staining from ferrous metal (sharpening his chain/blade etc over the wood) and then getting wet. Oxalic acid may help but in my experience its a pretty hard stain to eliminate but will mellow out with time and sun. It is not likely deep so planing would help lots.

 

[internet.user.human]

Thank you for the reply! I’m going to throw it in the kiln for a while and then I’ll give it a planing when it’s done. Hopefully that will yield some usable 3/4” material. If not, I can always take it down to 5/8” for the drawer boxes in the vanity.

 

[Mad Professor]

Was the stack covered with metal roofing material?

 

[internet.user.human]

Was the stack covered with metal roofing material?

No, it was loosely stacked on the ground, no protection.

 

[mbrick]

May just be from water sitting on them outside?
I think it will clean up with a light enough planing pass to flatten them. Should be a beautiful board at that point!