Scary spalted beech

[ContractArb]

Today I was asked to reduce this old boy by 40%:

As I climbed above the remaining canopy, about 12m, I got a nasty shock..

I realised that the tree wasn't swaying in the breeze as I'd thought. It was wobbling.

With my arse going like a goldfish's mouth, I abseiled down, sharpish...

A phonecall later and we had the go-ahead to fell.

Just as well really.

Anyone know about spalted beech? This is 8m x 0.8m approx. Is it worth more than just firewood? It's starting to crack already...

[tommer9]

Its worth loads more than firewood to turners and furniture makers. Ian leach on here will be along soon i would think to fill you in.

A 40% red. on that beech would have killed it anyway.

[slack ma girdle]

oooh pretty colours. If you have the ability to move that and get it to a saw mill, you will have some fine pretty wood.

[josharb87]

nice hinge sir was that a dog tooth, or leaving safe corner before wedging?

[ContractArb]

LOL t'was a dog-tooth Josh. Just as well that it had a lean - I wasn't going back up to put a line on it!

[Ian Leach]

OOOOhhhhh nice The thing is it needs to be planked or slabbed up as soon as because it does split badly then dried prefably kiln dried To get the most out of it. Then sold to turners or for indoor furniture. If all else fails firewood.

[ContractArb]

Update:

Sadly it's just firewood now. It had a radial crack running all the way up the stem. Strangely the crack was orientated perpendicular to the lean of the tree:confused1: