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The patterns that appear in spalted boards come from an early stage of decay in the tree. It is a fungus that grows in the tree and creates the interesting black lines in an irregular pattern. Sometimes they are thin lines, sometimes it is more of a wider streak, and every board is different. You don't have to worry about the board continuing to decay because the kiln drying process kills the fungus that causes the spalting. One of the challenges with spalted wood is that sometimes the prettiest salting is also in the board where the wood is starting to get soft from the decay. It is definitely something that you need to select in person to be sure you know what you are getting.
We see spalting most commonly in the maples and elm, although we have also seen it in hickory, ash, birch & one time in walnut. The price varies with how dramatic the spalted patterns are and how solid the board still is. Below are some images of spalted maple.
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