What kind of Wood/Tree

[MRDucks2]

So I thought the log I saw by the railroad bed at train crossing just up the road was about 2 foot long and 6 inches around. Yesterday, I stopped since there is never much traffic there and decided to throw it in the truck.

After moving the log twice, the truck once and only holding up 3 cars in each direction I finally wrangled the log into the back. It seems it was about 6-8 inches on the torn up end but closer to 10 x 12 at the bottom, which was nearly 6 foot away from top. But what I saw was deep orange looking wood.

Until I cut into it. Obviously fast growing and very heavy for being cut for 2-3 months it is rather yellow inside. What is it? Location is central Indiana.

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[keithbyrd]

I am thinking Ash

 

[MRDucks2]

Could be. Does ash grow that fast? I was wondering about a catalpa or cottonwood.


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[Aces-High]

Kinda looks like Cotton Wood to me.

 

[Dehn0045]

I've never worked with it myself, but possibly elm

 

[MRDucks2]

Didn't think about elm. Not sure what the wood for it looks like but it would hold a lot of water weight, also.


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[LouF]

Looks like Elm to me.

 

[PatrickR]

Type? Last pick looks like mulberry. Reaction wood though. It will behave badly even after drying.


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[Woodchipper]

Not sure of the wood but shame on those people who didn't help you load the log into the truck. You could have given them a pen.

 

[MRDucks2]

Lol, Thanks John, they likely wondered what that idiot was doing. Patrick, after waking this morning I wondered about the mulberry, too. I had one about 30+ inches across I finally had to cut years ago in Southern Indiana and thought it turned orange, too.

Will continue to warp, shrink or be hard to keep dry once dried? I don't recall cracking/splitting being an issue on the one I cut years ago.


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[PatrickR]

Reaction wood is the term used for pieces that grow towards horizontal, branches etc. the growth rings are lopsided. It will dry but may warp and check every time it's cut.
A 30" mulberry is huge. They line my fences, grow fast but don't last long.


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[MRDucks2]

After slicing, cutting and drying some, then comparing to other photos online and some blanks I have, I do believe it is Mulberry, which is pretty prevalent in the area. I would give about an 80% certainty on this.


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[mark james]

I'll ponder the species, but did you wax/paint the ends? While in log form - just paint the ends. After cut into bowl/spindle blank size, also paint the ends.

Not meaning to assume you are new to wet wood turning, but if you are - get to it quick - it is a pleasure. Rough out some bowls, put in saw dust for 1-2 yrs, then finish (Check U-Tube for tutorials, I'm not trying to coach you).

I'm in Ohio, so Ash, Cottonwood, Mulberry, elm are all possibilities. In my backyard, I'd add Hickory and Beech.

Have fun!

 

[MRDucks2]

First piece cut and waxed the ends. Moisture content seems to be dropping quickly when cut to 1x1xwhatever with waxed ends. Also cut some apple similar.


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[TellicoTurning]

I did quick search for mulberry bark... here is picture I found... looks much like your log.

 

[MRDucks2]

Yes, the wood slices have retained a yellow color, rapid growth rings with a darker ring between each. Some burgundy steaks.


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[grclark50]

I cut elm last summer and this appears the same.

 

[tomas]

Looks like elm tome, too.

Tomas

 

[MRDucks2]

This was an old one. It ended up being mulberry. Cut some from a know tree in same area and it is identical.


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[sbwertz]

Around here we call that "pretty wood."

Here is a picture of some mulberry blanks. I turn it a lot. They pollard the trees around here and the scar tissue that grows on the ends of the limbs has some really pretty wood.

http://www.penturners.org/photos/index.php?n=23574

 

[mark james]

Around here we call that "pretty wood."

Here is a picture of some mulberry blanks. I turn it a lot. They pollard the trees around here and the scar tissue that grows on the ends of the limbs has some really pretty wood.

IAP Home - Photos - mulberry blanks

Those certainly look pretty.

 

[sbwertz]

Mulberry pen


http://www.penturners.org/photos/index.php?n=18740