5

I have a slab of walnut with two live edges. After sanding down the live edges at 150 to remove bark and prep for finishing, I noticed these spots.

sanded live edge

Did I over-sand somehow? Or are these some odd spots in the grain? Should I do anything specific with them or leave them be?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

What you're seeing I'm pretty sure is the inside layer of bark, called the "phloem", some of which is still glued (as it were), to the first layer of wood, the first layer of cells of which are called the cambium layer. If you keep sanding, the "rings" will seem to get wider, when in fact you are just abrading the phloem away.

Here's a good discussion of tree parts:

https://www.arborday.org/trees/RingsTreeNatomy.cfm

Improve this answer
5
  • You are referring to the lighter, smoother-looking parts as the phloem, correct? So I should continue to sand these spots down until the phloem is gone and the grain appears in these areas?
    – wholol
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 13:56
  • No, the lighter part is the wood. Imagine burning through the veneer while sanding (lucky you if you have never experienced that horror). Walnut veneer over maple plywood will show white circles as you sand through the Walnut.
    – Benchwerks
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 14:28
  • * Dang I'm still learning these forum tools -- i keep posting when I want a new paragraph *. So anyway the phloem is that salt and pepper looking, grainy stuff on the inside of the bark - that stuff all up your sleeves when you were peeling the bark off.
    – Benchwerks
    Commented Mar 28, 2017 at 14:31
  • Oh I think I see where the might be some confusion: the live edge is sapwood, which is light, as opposed to the Heartwood, which is the brown you expect. The phloem is also brown, so things might seem backwards.
    – Benchwerks
    Commented Mar 29, 2017 at 0:47
  • Ok gotcha. Yeah, I had it backwards. This is my first time working with live edge. I haven't had a chance to sand it down more but hopefully will be able to tonight and see how it turns out. Thanks again!
    – wholol
    Commented Mar 29, 2017 at 16:53

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.