White Powder under Maple Burl Bark

[KMCloonan]

I just started drying and de-barking a chunk of maple burl I bought a while back. After some of the bark popped off (with the help of a screwdriver), there was quite a bit of white powder. I think it may be powdery mildew?

My main question is: is this unsafe? I am wearing an N95 mask (just happened to have several lying around), but I am concerned if these are spores or something from a fungus. I am guessing I should be brushing off the powder outside, rather than in my shop.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

 

[SabertoothBunny]

It is most likely mildew or fungus and you should wear a mask while cleaning it. Other PPE like gloves should be worn as well.

Couple of ways to do that, diluted solutions exist for it. The link below is a place to start.

How to Get Rid of White Mold on Wood | Facts You Should know - WoodHunger

Are you thinking too much about white stains on your furniture? Don’t know what is it? Keep rolling to know the truth! Typically, visible white stains on wooden objects are signs of the growth of fungi, especially of genus Ramularia or Erostheca. It is a kind of common wood infection called...

woodhunger.com

 

[ramaroodle]

It is most likely mildew or fungus and you should wear a mask while cleaning it. Other PPE like gloves should be worn as well.

Couple of ways to do that, diluted solutions exist for it. The link below is a place to start.

How to Get Rid of White Mold on Wood | Facts You Should know - WoodHunger

Are you thinking too much about white stains on your furniture? Don’t know what is it? Keep rolling to know the truth! Typically, visible white stains on wooden objects are signs of the growth of fungi, especially of genus Ramularia or Erostheca. It is a kind of common wood infection called...

woodhunger.com

Yes. What he said.