devon TWiG

Came across this for sale on " Not on the high street " A nice piece of spalted beech but will it sell ? ( £1850 !!)

Yep just like that !!

That is a very common scenario , It happens all the time and to be honest very few turners ( mostly retired gents ) look for lumps of wood ( most want ready prepared and seasoned blanks ) It is appreciated that guys on here take the time and trouble to offer up such wood even though it does not seem to be taken up very often . So many people think a nice bit of wood is worth a lot of money , but sadly it rarely is , but if it can achieve a better price than firewood with out having to split and deliver it then that is a good result , plus the satisfaction it will be put to good use ! It is not only the big neat lumps of wood that are useful but many smaller bits , second measures, crotches , burred, spalted or just unusual woods are what i usually seek out . If I am on site and had a Walnut ( or other nice lump ) as in your original post I would cut the rings approx 18 - 20 inches long and then cut them in half lengthways , effectively creating 2 short thick planks , half round in section , these are then man handled more easily and a decent bowl can be obtained from each bit ... I might post a few pics of the process at some time just to clarify !

No I do not believe Turkey oaks would get that big up north ! ... however , What about Douglas fir ?, where are the tallest trees in the UK ? .. I have been to Ardkinglas gardens and there are some incredible specimens there , also Inverewe has some surprising specimens !!

Also , a very spalted bit of Beech , and Turkey oak, Monkey puzzle and a fine example of " compartmentalised Beech ... the pale wood is sound , plain beech but the brown, spallting below the dark line is in the early stage of decay and this tree would of ended up hollow , if i did not fell it !

I have heard ( yet not entirely convinced ) that trees in northern regions average out more or less the same as southern ones in a temperate climate ..... due to the fact that although the summer appears shorter up north , when the growing season is in full swing ( summer ) the extra daylight hours make up the short fall , so although the season as such is shorter it is more intense .It could have a lot to do with soil fertility , shelter , ph etc

Some examples of the glory of spalted wood ! Some found "naturally " others induced , by wrapping in pallet wrap and stored in muddy sawdust . First one spalted Ash, second Beech , third Elm and lastly Horse chestnut Burr . Such fantastic wood from lumps that virtually everyone would consider rough , knotty half rotten crap ! Some guys who's wood piles I get such bits from shake their heads in disbelief at what I put in my car boot ( get it cheap though ! )

I have felled quite a few with a pitifully small amount ! It would be a very brave man to offer good money for a standing walnut , not knowing the heartwood content !

Walnut trees at 18" or less dia will have very little ( possibly none ) of the valuable heartwood and I find it hard to believe any one would pay £10 a cubic foot for it !

Next years Turner prize winner ?

I am pretty local , and have worked in this industry for about 30 years , and from what I can tell from the picture , and I know the site , I agree with Matthew Storrs above and would be in a state of disbelief if a quote in excess of a grand was accepted for this job ! It actually looks a very nice job and site to work at ... good luck

If the wire / rope is around the stem in a strangulating manner it gives greater cause for concern than merely attatched to the tree .

UV ( ultra violet ) light is one of the biggest things to weaken ropes , without obvious damage , I always keep mine in a bag when dry and not in use . Like others have said they are very far over spec for weight to be carried ( I am 70 KG ) and rope strength from new .. circa 1500 KG ? ... also when using old rope for pulling etc you realise how strong it is !! Has any one ever known or heard of a rope breaking in use ?

It is amazing what can be made from an old lump of wood with ring shake !

I think I know where Sexy Sarah may be hiding your package !!!!!!

I went to the Sth Brent Woodfair and it was a very small low key affair ...... but I would imagine it takes a good deal of planning and organising . It is of course likely that some would require a fee to attend but it needs to be assessed if they have the "draw " to justify this ... not easy !

Toyota rav 4 with the d4d engine ( same as Hi lux ) , super reliable , plenty to choose from ( all budgets ) .

Snowman is Dougie ( Douglas Fir ) and Penguin Scot ..... you've guessed ... Scots Pine ! ( nothing to do with captain scot ) 30" tall and 15" respectively

Recently finished a small set of shelves as a practice piece for bigger work in same style in the future .... Legs are "ebonised" Ash and shelves are London plane quarter sawn ( A4 size ) just to show what can be made from "Arb waste" and that BIG boards are not required !

Some bowls recently finished for a festive " winter woodland " exhibition, various woods.. Ash, Scorched Ash , Yew, Spalted Beech , Largest 17"dia --smallest 9" dia

Axe-cellent !! ( groan ) In fact I really do like it , very innovative and original , I think only a tree man could come up with this !!

A company in Somerset in Coombe Sydenham supply Mole Valley farmers throughout the SW with logs and sticks ( I used to deliver them ) you can pop in to MVF and look at their products to see if they suit ! I think they are called Exmoor Woodfuel and already have a supply network ... lorries delivering in Cornwall with a pallet network ( who I used to drive for ) I am not sure if they are kiln dried though !

What is the situation with rock climbing ? I would imagine it would be much the same for trees , but probably best not to ask and find a quiet spot and just do it ! I am pretty sure it is not against the law and would some one really pursue civil action ?

Surely the wood from that tree should have some added value being from an historic / famous tree if put to some use ?

I am just a bit envious now !!.... I am a bit surprised that there is many trees let alone burry elms on the Isle of Mull , and you have 2 ! Well done ..