spalted beech - help/ideas please

[little&large]

Hi all, i have this large lump of beech that i have started ringing up at the customers request, just wanted to know peoples opinions if this is worth something as the spalting and colouration is fantastic. Seams a real shame to just ring it - i was thinking of planking it but thought i would ask around first.

Also if i got my local timber merchant to have a look i wanted to have an idea so i didnt get fleeced!! The butt is 4ft wide and 10ft long (6ft has been reduced in width to 2ft - for planking). All input would be welcomed.

[little&large]

photos of beech butt

[mixedangased]

unless you have a buyer dont bother,i did the same and now everything is firewood

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

it seems to me there is a massive void and market avaliable to a smart man with a portable mill cpable of gate back garden application!

 

There is just so much good and big wood around, if one guy got wise he would set up to take all these big butts off contractors for free on the premise that the contractor would save money/time on the butt clearance leaving that portion to the miller!

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Got a feeling the colouration etc dissapears over time anyway - see this thread:

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/general-chat/11738-fun-day-good-laughs-clash-titan-saws-pink-rose-lots-more.html

[Roger Day]

..>>There is just so much good and big wood around, if one guy got wise he would set up to take all these big butts off contractors for free on the premise that the contractor would save money/time on the butt clearance leaving that portion to the miller!<<<<<

 

Good point!

As a worker in wood I have had similar arrangements with Surgeons.

The reason it works is that they realise that the money is not in the wood but the effort to cut and move it.

Breaks my heart to see so many big trees "Ringed" leaving unusable lengths, even for sculpture.

With deep respect to all involved, I hope awareness of the potential of immortalising these fantastic trees can grow.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Roger Day

[Steve Bullman]

nice to read you again roger

[josharb87]

you'll get more money to firewood it, but if you or your customer wants it planked/milled on site, give me a pm

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

If any of you reading this are happy to mill decent sized timber in back yards I will take a number off you and bare it in mind in ALL future suitable scenarios, I am certain my customers (due to comments) would be happier knowing it was going to a better home than firewood.

 

Bonus is this way carbon is locked for eternity too.

[John Hughes]

I would be interested in any suitable butts for planking. I have a woodmizer based in south/mid Wales, and tomorrow I collect my new to me Lucas Mill which will be based in Dunmow Essex. I will be willing to travel for the right logs. My email is

jphz(at)btopenworld.com

John