Possible score...now what?

[Robert Opalko]

Got bits of one of the largest dogwoods around here Friday. Talked to guy with portable mill – $65 to cut up, but $25 per blade if he hits any metal; but can’t do it before next weekend. This tree was in a yard in town, so I would not be the least bit surprised there’d be nails in it. In fact, the tree previously had a “specimen” marker on it, town had classified it a historic specimen for it’s age & size.

So what to do with it? I just started turning small bowls, but don’t know a thing about turning green wood. One person said turn it into pens, which I’ve never done either. Does it look to be worth bandsawing to get slabs for possible veneer? I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it if it is not worth it.. Regardless I need to get it out of my truck and don’t want to load it back up again. If I take it out how do I store it?

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[daryl moses]

I'm sure you could get some lumber out of it but from the looks of it not much. Lots of knots and the center is certainly bad.
I wouldn't pay to have it sawn but would possibly try to get something out of it using my bandsaw.
I "might" try using some of it for lathe projects. Otherwise it would be firewood.

[Robert Opalko]

Thanks, I was wondering about the knots & bad center.

[John TenEyck]

Bowls and pens sounds about right. I certainly wouldn't pay to have it sawn. If you decide to keep it paint the ends with sealer immediately to help keep it from splitting.

John

[Bill Adamsen]

I have never worked Dogwood ... either Cornus florida or Cornus kousa (the woody varieties found around here). I have no idea what the wood looks like. The only thing I know about Dogwood is that it is identified by its bark.

[paul cottingham]

Spoon and bowls, baby. Get a knife and axe and started carving.

[Steve Peterson]

Probably not worth paying $65 to cut up 3 logs when the largest is only 11" across and looks like it has a rotten center. It must have been a limb high enough off the ground where nails would be rare.

You might be able to rip it down the center with a chainsaw and then cut a few smaller boards on just about any bandsaw. There may be a few small bowl blanks if you have a lathe.

Steve

[Al Launier]

Given the background of where this came from, and if you intend to pursue using this wood I would suggest you first check it thoroughly for with a metal detector. If you don't have a metal detector, perhaps someone at the saw mill would be willing to do this for you at minimal charge.

[Anthony Whitesell]

Given the background of where this came from, and if you intend to pursue using this wood I would suggest you first check it thoroughly for with a metal detector. If you don't have a metal detector, perhaps someone at the saw mill would be willing to do this for you at minimal charge.

Running a sawmill myself, the charges quoted are pretty minimal. Most sawmill mills have rails that are 24 to 36" apart, and would take a special jig to saw anything shorter. Being 24-36" long and 11-12" in diameter, it could be easily resawn on a vertical bandsaw.

[Robert Opalko]

Firewood it is!

[John McClanahan]

Probably not worth paying $65 to cut up 3 logs when the largest is only 11" across and looks like it has a rotten center. It must have been a limb high enough off the ground where nails would be rare.

You might be able to rip it down the center with a chainsaw and then cut a few smaller boards on just about any bandsaw. There may be a few small bowl blanks if you have a lathe.

Steve

I was thinking the same thing.

John

[Myk Rian]

[QUOTE=Steve Peterson;2491799It must have been a limb high enough off the ground where nails would be rare.[/QUOTE]
And if limb wood, (which it appears to be) there are going to be all kinds of stresses in it.

[Joe Kieve]

Don't burn it all. Save a few pieces to make some lathe tool handles. When dry it's extremely hard. It turns beautifully, sort of pinkish in color, very close grained, takes a nice finish.

Compare the hardness to other woods on this chart: https://sizes.com/units/janka.htm

[Robert Opalko]

I have to split it first!

Don't burn it all. Save a few pieces to make some lathe tool handles. When dry it's extremely hard. It turns beautifully, sort of pinkish in color, very close grained, takes a nice finish.

Compare the hardness to other woods on this chart: https://sizes.com/units/janka.htm

[Stan Calow]

I have a couple of logs that I tried to turn into usable lumber. Lots of work and I didn't see much attractive figure or grain. I made some small things that need a hard, durable wood, like scoops and tool handles. It takes on a good hand-feel with use.