Sweetgum - sticky and draws ants. I had two 100' trees - one died
and the other started dropping limbs - 4-6" in diameter as the top
was eaten up by heavy winds and storms. Both required special
hauling ability due to the weight of the large diameter logs. The
two went to a local BIO-electric plant- chipping machine and use.

Martin

On 3/22/2014 2:20 PM, G. Ross wrote:
Ralph E Lindberg wrote:
In articleY4mdnZQfY9fvJbfOnZ2dnUVZ5o2dnZ2d@giganews. com,
"G. wrote:

When I first got addicted to turning I scrounged around for wood to
turn. Now it turns up in my yard. A friend had a sweetgum blow down
on his farm. He cut it up in chunks about 20 inches long and 19
inches diameter. He wanted to bring the whole bunch but I told him 5
pieces would be enough. He brought 7.
After cutting a 3-4 inch slice out of the center to remove the
pith,
I was left with 14 blocks weighing average 70 pounds. Too heavy for
me to cut out on the bandsaw any more, so I drew a circle on the flat
side and cut it into an octagon with the chainsaw.
Using the Bowl Saver I got 28 bowls roughed out. Finished roughing
them and hauling two truck loads of scrap and shavings off on Monday.
Tuesday I heard a chainsaw in the neighborhood--two good-sized
dogwoods had bit the dust.
Have them sealed and mostly sliced, some roughed out. Looks like
another 25 bowls to rough out. Dogwood is one of my favorite turning
woods.
A lot of work for not much money, but like a shark I have to keep
moving or else.

Sounds like the spalted Poplar the BIL gave me (only I burn the scap
in the fire place and the shaving go to friends with chickens ..

Sweetgum is not fireplace wood due to it propensity to pop and spit and
blow out red-hot coals. I do not have a heater to burn it in. I put an
ad in the local shopper's guide about the shavings. A man who has
horses called. When he learned I had only 5 large bags full he said
that wasn't enough to bother coming to pick up. I did give some to a
man who raises rabbits. He said he would check later for more. Never
heard from him again.