Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19981014083309.007c7970@paradox.net>
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 08:33:09 -0400
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: shawn goodman <browndog@paradox.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka Dumb wood question: moose wood
In-Reply-To: <011101bdf714$c9b48720$3ed0b7cc@icnet.intercom.net>
Larry, I doubt I'll do justice to this very interesting phenomenon but here
goes. The phosphorescent or glowing wood refers to a rarity also called
fosfire. Essentially, it occurs only under a very specific set of
conditions (old decaying wood being one), and a person would be lucky to
see "foxfire" in a lifetime. As I understand it (or misunderstand,
perhaps), the decomposing or rotting wood, near the very end of it's
lifespan, undergoes specific chemical reactions that result in "glowing."
This is sometimes said to be the wood's last stab at life. I read an
account once of a guy who witnessed this strange phenomenon and stayed up
all night playing with the stuff. He stirred it and smeared it, kind of
like kids do with the fluid inside those glow sticks. He reported that it
glowed throughout much of the night. He had thought it was from a fungus
or mold, and was surprised to learn later that it was actually glowing wood.
If there are any experts on foxfire out there, please come forward and
share what you know, as the whole phenomenon/idea of glowing wood is pretty
cool.
Shawn Goodman
At 09:48 PM 10/13/98 -0400, you wrote:
>strange is as strange does. yet another dumb wood question.
>
>what about moose wood? (Acer striatum).
>
>the other night while reading into dreamland, i was awakened by a tail of
>Thoreau as he ventured up the Allagash River in Maine. he had awakened in
>the night to see something unusual near the campfire... a glowing ring of
>wood that he describes as being 'phosphorescent wood'
>
>so, what's up with these Maine trees? is the wood good for making a kayak to
>paddle at night? are there still moose trees in maine? where else will they
>grow?
>
>bye bye bliven
>