18" Spalted Figured Silver Maple. So after a large Silver Maple came down in my yard, naturally, I was cutting it into usable blanks. The tree had seen better days and was already spalted and punky the day it came down. This was cut from a large crotch, but I almost put it with the firewood because it seemed too far gone ...but it just seemed too interesting. So, I discovered that Bondo wood pre-treatment works wonders on punky wood. In fact, about a quarter of the piece was almost spongy. Now it is hard as a rock. The only issue was the dark spot near the middle. It was a void that is now filled with coffee grounds. I do not think that this should be used as a functional platter, but it is kinda nice to look at.