iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

"Ship-Mast" Black Locust

Started by Blue Sky, November 12, 2007, 07:34:14 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Blue Sky

I have been dealing with Black locust for some 10-12 years now.  Periodically I hear about ship mast locust, but I can find no information on such a sub-species, if there is such a tree.  Is there anyone out there who knows of such things?   Enchanted Forester

beenthere

It is likely just a reference to the quality of the tree...straight, no limbs that are not overgrown, little taper.  Don't think it is a variety or a sub-species.
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

sprucebunny

I doubt it was really used for masts because it weighs so much.

The term was used for white pine in the past.
MS193, MS192 and an 026  Weeding and Thinning. Gilbert Champion sawmill

Daren

Maybe check out this link http://www.blacklocust.org/workshops/ . Or do a search for locust here. I got that link from a post I made a couple years ago. Or a google search, there is info out there. I found some old ship restoration websites on a quick search.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

woodsrunner

Hey Daren great link. thanks for posting it. locust is one of my favorite woods.

Daren

Quote from: woodsrunner on November 12, 2007, 08:45:45 PM
locust is one of my favorite woods.

Mine too, it is often overlooked-thought of as a "pest" in hardwood stands. It has it's own merits that should be recognized.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

cantcutter

Never heard of a mast being done with locust, but it was commonly used by lofters on the New England coast for keels.

Phorester


Shipmast locust is a variety of black locust developed in the 50s or 60s.  It was named "shipmast" because it was suppossed to grow very straight, and it was also supossed to resist locust borer.

A landowner in one of my counties had a few acres of these planted on his farm back then.  The results were not spectacluar.  I last saw them about 20 years ago.  After all these years they look about like every other locust stand here.  I'll see if I can find out more info on this particular planting.

beenthere

Thanks Phorester.
I did a Google on Shipmast Locust and came up with a variety of hits...and interesting discussions.  One said Little included it as a variety, but this designation has been questioned and it is believed just a variation...

Some group named Black Locust site (out of date as of 2003) suggests removing root stock from straight locust trees, and replanting the root for continuation of the better trees, and calls it Shipmast Locust...??

Will be interested in what you find out..

:)
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Daren

Quote from: beenthere on November 14, 2007, 12:08:10 PM
it is believed just a variation...


From my research that is the impression I get. It has just been cultivated/grown/pruned differently to achieve the kind of timber needed. That link I put showed using root stock from other trees so genetics has to play a rule too.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

Thank You Sponsors!