Question on diseased trees?

[Faidh]

I live by a little abandoned stetch of woodland riddled with sycamore. Considering the anit-bacterial properites, I thought I'd like to use some of the wood for making utensils. However, many of the trees seem diseased with a sort of white and orange dappling. Granted, they are pretty old trees but I was wondering if it safe to use this wood? Not the diseased pieces but perhaps the parts of the tree free of disease- or does it not quite work like that? Also, is it safe to burn this diseased wood?

Thanks for any input.

[happybonzo]

You could try asking on Small Woodlands Owners Group (http://www.swog.org.uk/) Some one on there should be able to give you a sensible answer
Personally, I would not use timber like that for making utensils; burning it should be OK in an enclosed Wood-burner providing the timber is dry.
The other thing is that fallen rotting timber does provide good cover and a food source for insects, birds and animals.