Author Topic: a lonely basswood (Read 2695 times)

chinahand · « **on:** January 31, 2009, 10:10:53 pm »

Howdy,

I have a single basswood--about 24" in diameter--that's a leaner and has reached its time. A sibling not 50 feet away that came down naturally about 8 years ago has almost decayed thoroughly into the forest floor, and I've been told that basswood--while valued by wood cutters--needs to be processed quickly to preserve any value. I've asked around--even spoke to a log broker--but no one seems to have a clue as to how to get this piggy to market. (I'm in Penobscot County, Maine). I've concluded that it might be best just to take her down and try to hold onto what I can. If basswood is a tricky species to dry, what would you recommend? And what might be possible uses? Thanks for any suggestions.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:10:03 am »

See what you can do as far as cutting and sawing for the wood carving market. Basswood is tops for wood carving material. Bark can be made into rope. We have basswood up here in New Brunswick as well, it's kind of an oddball species, meaning it's not abundant up here, just pockets and one here and there along the river valley. I have some I transplanted from the farm as yard trees and I have one growing wild on my woodlot. I've been trying to get seed to germinate from my yard trees. No success.

chinahand · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:28:10 am »

Any suggestions as to how I can identify the wood carving market?

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:50:00 am »

Any wood working groups, carvers, in the area? What's on the internet for Maine wood working groups? Sometimes it can be a lot of effort expelled for little reward when talking about marketing on a per tree basis. If you knew someone who carves, that would be the best approach. Some people may take the log as is, while others won't touch it unless it's been processed into carving blanks and dried. Ebay an option? Might have to do some research on the specs in the market.

thecfarm · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:04:13 am »

Did you google wood carvers of Maine? There is a group in Maine called Maine Wood Carvers Association,MWCA out of Newcastle,ME.
By the way,don't get your hopes up too high,if one fell over the other one may be on it's way out.Maybe all rotten inside.We had some here.When my Father meet my Mother he thought he could get some points from his future FIL by giving him some basswood.The few he had were all rotten inside.But I hope that is not the way your is.

chinahand · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:48:13 am »

Thanks. I'll check out the Maine Wood Carvers Association in Newcastle. I know the area. Yeah, it's sobering about the possibility that the tree's a dud. On the other hand, things seemed to work out OK with your mom and dad--otherwise you wouldn't be here giving me advice.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2009, 02:38:29 pm »

When I sawed out basswood for a wood carver, he wanted 2", 4x6 and 6x8, no heart. He was using it to carve goose and duck decoys. The price isn't the greatest, but its better than letting it rot or go into pallets.

stonebroke · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2009, 02:42:29 pm »

When I had a log sale 12 years ago the logger was shipping it over to Japan for chopsticks. I have also sold them to people to cut into scaffold planks. Very light so you can cut them thick but still pick them up.

Stonebroke

thedeeredude · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2009, 05:53:49 pm »

Woodcraft stores usually have carving classes and groups as well, maybe that's another option.

chinahand · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2009, 12:02:47 am »

Failing to find someone right away to take it away, do you recommend I buck it up into 4' and 8' lengths and saw it up into 6x8 blanks? (is "blank" the right word?) I'm told that basswood can twist something wicked. If so, is it best to just keep the log in sections, off the ground and out of the weather, then saw next year?

Tom · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:34:23 am »

I know there are those who would disagree with me, but, unless I'm interested in creating Spalt, I find that most logs are better sawed as soon as they come off of the stump, to minimize discoloration, stain and insect damage.

I would saw it now and stick it properly in a protected area, and do my best to dry it without stain or inducing warp. If used for turning or carving blanks, the sawed material should be end-sealed.

To allow a log to sit/mellow/cure/or whatever, is a crapshoot.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:08:21 pm »

I've had logs that have laid a good time before I sawed them. Depending on the time of year its cut will be dependent on how much stain you get. If you cut the logs in fall or winter, you won't get too much stain, since they will be dried out before the stain season.

But, you probably could saw them, since you're only talking about one tree. Stain doesn't really bother decoy carvers, since they paint the product. I would cut them in 8' lengths, because its easier to handle. You can cut 6x8s, but I would cut them plump and make sure there is no pith. You have to take the pith out in a pallet board.

chinahand · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:25:46 am »

Thanks all for your thoughts. Ron, can you clear up a couple things for me? When you say "plump" I'm assuming that you mean to add 1/2" or so to each dimension? Also, can you tell me what it is to take the pith out in a pallet board? Much appreciated,

Craig

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2009, 06:19:09 pm »

To cut plump, just add anywhere from 1/4-1/2". It allows for shrinkage, and if you want to resaw, you'll have enough wood.

On the carving stock that I have cut, they didn't want any pith. So, you can't box the heart. What I have always done is cut my stock to figure out how to take a board from the middle. If you cut a 8x14, for example, you can pull a 6x8, 1x8, 6x8 from it and have them cut plump and some saw kerf. Burn the board if you can't sell it since it has no use to carvers.

park ranger · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:13:53 am »

I cut some basswood up for a woodcarver once. He wanted 1" thick with one straight and one wild side. He gave me some wood and I later carved on it and it does cut real nice, a smooth shiny cut.

Mike_Barcaskey · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:05:38 am »

basswood is preferred by trappers to make fur stretchers.
they buy it cut to dimension, kiln dried and they finish it off. usually someone in the area is doing it as part of a business and may make several hundered a year.

woodtroll · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:53:09 pm »

As a carver, large clear blocks are nice. Then charge a premium for the big blocks. End seal them, put them in a dry place and forget them for a while.

9shooter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2009, 11:34:43 pm »

I know a boat builder who likes basswood. He told me it was 10% heavier than cedar and twice as strong.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:54:19 am »

Basswood won't last long out in the elements. Basswood is stiffer, but no better in bending strength, hardness or shock resistance compared to northern white cedar.

YellowDog · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2009, 03:48:21 pm »

I have a sawing custermer that every winter before he goes to Florida has me saw up a traler load of Basswood that he sales at carving clubs down there for $7 to $10 dallers a board foot wet.

News:

Author Topic: a lonely basswood (Read 2695 times)