monkey puzzle whats the timber worth

[orang utah]

took down a 40ft monkey puzzle yesterday . i know that turners like it but how much should i be looking to sell it for

[Flyguy]

I had a big monkey puzzle from a neighbor a couple of years back for firewood. Biggest PITA I have ever dealt with. Resin everywhere, impossible to split, razor sharp 'leaves' and not even particularly good burning.

 

I wouldnt touch it !

[nepia]

took down a 40ft monkey puzzle yesterday . i know that turners like it but how much should i be looking to sell it for

 

I don't pretend this is 'market price' but I sold some 26" dia. rings last year for £25 each. What I would advise is act fast. The best pieces went to possibly the best turner of MP in the country and he prefers the rings kept on damp ground, end grain down, i.e. he wants them fresh. Another turner, well known in the south-east, turned his nose up at some 20" dia. rings from the same tree just 10 months later because they'd been cut 'too long ago - they've gone like cotton wool by now'.

Get moving and don't let them dry.

 

Yeah, they're a pain to split but if you put a ring on its edge and whack an eye (knot) in the middle with an axe it'll split.

 

Jon

[18 stoner]

Yep, nice stuff worth a few quid when you get a market for it.

 

Some turners specialise in it and will pay upto £30 per log for knotted logs. The higher logs are best as the lower branches are usually removed and dont have the colours. This lower timber can be milled and plamks can bring upto £25 each.

 

As for spikes, only the dead ones will give you trouble. Just wear leather gloves and chip all the branches.

 

As for sap, debark the stem then cut. Around 90% of the sap is in the bark, so once its removed the logs cut and stack fine.

 

All in all, can be a nice profit from the arisings. Go for it!

[Kraftinwood]

Hi I buy all reasonable size monkey puzzle trees within reasonable distance and subject to storage (I have 3 at present) if you are want to sell all the tree please send size and pictures if possible.

Despite what some say ***? the going rate in our real world isnt anywhere near what they would have you believe, I have never paid more than £150 for a complete tree (and I have bought many) albeit I usully throw in a bowl. It is 18months to 2 years before the wood is useable i.e. staining apppears which gives it character as wel as the whorls.

Please let me know details thanks

kraftinwood

Woodturning Large Bowls and Hollow Forms, Australian and Native Burrs.