trees

[rich.]

hi chaps, ive got a trunk 18" diameter from a recently dead walnut tree & im wondering if i can get it planked & use it for something its been dead about 3 years is it any good or just firewood? i also have a dead eucalyptus tree to cut down the main trunks are about 12" in diameter can i use this for something or is it just more firewood
all suggestions are welcome..

[tractorman]

I would suggest getting a quote for sawing it into planks - and then work out if it's worth more in that form than it is as firewood.

If you are into furniture making, the walnut would be very useful. I'm not sure about the Eucalyptus and a quick Google found this:

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/E ... aking.html

and this:

http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/in ... 506AAT6eEE

Unfortunately, they probably doesn't give a definitive answer to your problem, though as someone pointed out somewhere, they did burn well in California a year or two ago!

[Luxobarge]

Yes, sounds as if it'd be fine for joinery use. Your problem is going to be getting it sawn, there are several sawmills around here that could do it, but that's not much use to you. Hopefully you can get a local sawmill to help, but if it were me I'd definately give it a whirl, lovely wood is Walnut, and that sounds like a monster piece, not to be wasted.

Good friend of mine is a "tree consultant" or whatever they're called, so if you need any specific professional advice, post back and I'll ask him. For example, I'm renovating a medieval house, and need a piece of oak, 4" x 5" and about 8' long, the problem is it's got to be curved, as it's one of those curved bits of the frame you see in old timber-framed houses. Well, this guy has found a "curved" oak tree that's being felled, and I'm going to pick a piece of it up next week. I'll have to shape it with a chain-saw, but the main thing is that it will be an authentic naturally curved piece, and you don't find them for sale at B&Q!!
I'd have struggled getting one without this guy's help.

Cheers!

[Willy Eckerslyke]

I had to take down a Eucalyptus after the hard winter had killed it. Bit of a waste, but I did use it all for firewood - and very good it was too. The odd thing though, I noticed it killed the rust on the tools I was using - steel wedges, etc. All surface rust turned bluey black as if dipped in Jenolite. I'd be interested to hear if you see the same effect.

[rich.]

thanks chaps, ill let you know what happens.. how much ar you paying per m3 for your oak luxo? it sometimes cheaper than pine here.

[rich.]

for luxo
let me know if its interesting.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/materiel_profes ... tm?ca=18_s

[Luxobarge]

for luxo
let me know if its interesting.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/materiel_profes ... tm?ca=18_s

Hi - difficult to say what I pay for Oak, as I am on pretty good terms with my local sawmill, who often let me have suitable lumps for just a few quid. I think I pay around £15 for green oak, less for air-dryed. I don't find the cost of it to be a major issue here, if you know where to go.

The big curved piece I'm getting next week is essentially free - it's from a tree in a domestic property that has to be felled, and the tree surgeons are quite happy for me to take it away. I'll give them a few £ for their trouble, but it won't cost much!

That link looks like a good sawmill! Some nice stuff there, although I can't understand the text of course.

Cheers

[rich.]

you are lucky! i remember paying £10 a foot 10 years ago for oak.... over here its very reasonable & ive brought several lumps back to blighty.. the ad basically said oak in different dimensions etc €600 per m3 i will hunt around & see what else i can find

[Young Farmer]

Chuck it on a trailer and take it to Dorset Steam Fair. Get it planked by the steam powered saw benches, not much sign of 'elf & safety though, that work throughout the show. When they are doing it get yourself up to the real ale tent and sample a few of the ales on tap. Hows that for a solution?

[Luxobarge]

Chuck it on a trailer and take it to Dorset Steam Fair.

Going to be a bit of a palaver from France though, isn't it?