Spalting is fungal rot though I don't what specific fungus it is. I know some woodworkers used to store them in bags with various & sundry organics to encourage spalting but I'm sure science has caught up to ingenuity by now
You are correct on the ambrosia maple being the result of the beetles' travel through the wood & fungus from it's legs dyes the wood. Spalted wood usually needs to be stabalized because the fibers are too weak & tear out when cutting. If you soak them in a resin or, even better, use a vaccum bag then the wood hardens to where you can cut it smoothly. And then there are tinting options galore...needless to say, I'm a fan of spalted wood I can't wait to see the final product!
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