Anyone use Chestnut?

[RonSchmitt]

Hi All,
I did a search here on Chestnut, and found 1 item made with it.
My neighbor's tree was damaged in a recent storm, and is now in pieces in the yard, my question is, is there a reason I'm not seeing any pens made from Chestnut? I'm still fairly new at this, and not familiar with all the wood yet.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Dario]

Grab what you can, especially the trunk area.

I've made an American Chestnut burl pen...love it.

 

[Woodlvr]

Beautiful pen Dario.

Mike

 

[loglugger]

I am with Dario on this, it can be some very nice wood to work with.
Bob

 

[Gary Max]

The trick here----is it a American Chestnut---finding a tree that is alive would be a real big deal. There are several types of Chestnut.

 

[Mudder]

Originally posted by Gary Max
<br />The trick here----is it a American Chestnut---finding a tree that is alive would be a real big deal. There are several types of Chestnut.

If it is American Chestnut then take all you can. They were nearly wiped out by blight.

http://www.munic.state.ct.us/burlington/chestnuttree.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestnut

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestnut_blight

The wood from the American Chestnut is pretty rare which may account for the lack of pens made from it, but as Gary said, there are several types of chestnut.

It will also make some nice looking Bowls, Boxes, bottle stoppers, etc, etc.

 

[Gary Max]

You can find American Chestnut in this part of the country.
There are several places to reclaim wood---it was used to build with way back in the good ole days. Most of it that I have seen is kinda boring really. If I remember right Dario paid a bunch for the Burl that he bought and I don't think you will see much of it ever.

 

[angboy]

Your post made me realize I was missing a picture in my album. I made this cigar pen and pencil set out of some wormy American chestnut that a friend had from an old barn or building or something. He'd been holding onto it for a long, long time and so I made this set for him, but apparently forgot to upload it to my album. After I'd found out about the history of this wood, I was kicking myself when I messed up 2 blanks!