Dead dogwood tree

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Woodchipper

Woodchipper

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Cleveland, TN
I have a dead dogwood tree in my backyard that needs to come down. Not sure how it died- one day it was OK and then, leaves didn't come out and part of the bark (no puns here, OK?) is coming off. I'm thinking lightning kill but there are trees around it that are over 75 feet tall and they are OK. There is one tree that has a broken branch just hanging- maybe lightning and then to the dogwood?
Would it be salvageable for blanks or other turning? When I cut it, what should I look for in the wood or grain? It is about 16 inches in diameter at the ground. Thanks. Hate to turn into firewood.
 
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Woodchipper said:
I have a dead dogwood tree in my backyard that needs to come down. Not sure how it died- one day it was OK and then, leaves didn't come out and part of the bark (no puns here, OK?) is coming off. I'm thinking lightning kill but there are trees around it that are over 75 feet tall and they are OK. There is one tree that has a broken branch just hanging- maybe lightning and then to the dogwood?
Would it be salvageable for blanks or other turning? When I cut it, what should I look for in the wood or grain? It is about 16 inches in diameter at the ground. Thanks. Hate to turn into firewood.
Click to expand...

I would certainly try to harvest some bowl blanks and sections for future pen blanks. Cut; anchorseal (or other end grain sealers); put away to dry; patience... Nothing lost but some effort.

Have fun.
 
Dogwood can be a very desirable wood for its ability to take and hold fine detail. In days of yore, it was used to make bobbins and shuttles for weaving mills. It is finer grain than maple and very hard. Makes great mallets, tool handles.

The pieces I have are bla for color and fancy grain. It accepts inks and dye well.

Look to the butt of the tree and the root ball for " root burl"

While not exciting for pens, makes nice ornaments, turned spoons and ladles (see Raffin book more turning projects).

Nice wood to work with.
 
Do you have powder post beedles in your area???

If so, storing off the ground reduces risk of infestation. Bringing infested wood into the shop is risky..... Having beetles in the house framing is not good.
 
Store outside in a storage building, off the floor. Will watch for undesirable critters. Not sure of powder post beetles but my son had some in hardwood flooring...imported. Would find tiny holes with fine wood dust around them, if that is what you are talking about.
 
Yup!!! The holes and the "dust" is sign of adults leaving and ready to lay eggs for the next generation.

There are a couple of borate treatments that can be used.
 
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