Hello all,

We had a big storm front whip through yesterday and it took out a lot
of trees in the area. I got a 16' x approx. 13" dia. hunk of basswood
from the neighbor's tree that was blocking the road (yes, I got
permission first) more because it was there and I had the room to
store it than because I care much about basswood one way or the other.

Here's the big question, though- I'd like to get this creamy white
wood to darken a little before I get it on the lathe. Anyone know if
I can get a good spalting pattern on it if I bury in sawdust or
something, or does it just rot immediately like paper birch? If not,
I figure I've got a huge supply of good carving wood at any rate
(maybe I'll try making some black forest table legs or something), and
the price was right (sort of, anyhow- I'm beginning to see that free
wood is not always that free if you harvest it by hand and carry it a
few blocks... especially the next day.)

Plan on going after the big yellow birch that went down next to the
Hardees today if they'll let me have that one, too. If not, there's
bound to be a few that went down in the forest that I can nab. Came
at just the right time- I was starting to run out of logs. If I'm
lucky, the cherry tree I've had my eye on got blown over too- I won't
cut it down, but I'll take it if it falls!

"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

We had a big storm front whip through yesterday and it took out a lot
of trees in the area.

Wish we'd have gotten some rain out of that one. Watched it break up before
it passed Ironwood.

The bass will turn brown - not an attractive brown just _brown_ - in the log
on its rapid way to dust. End of next summer the log will be a loss even if
you give it some elevation. It's plain vanilla, all the way through,
otherwise. If you've wanted to do some coloring or pyrography, well, it'll
take some to make the bass look good.

The yellow birch is a prize worth carrying.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 08:41:09 -0400, "George" George@least wrote:


"Prometheus" wrote in message
.. .
Hello all,

We had a big storm front whip through yesterday and it took out a lot
of trees in the area.

Wish we'd have gotten some rain out of that one. Watched it break up before
it passed Ironwood.

That sucks... We did get quite a bit, and the lawn really needed it.
It's been a dry month so far.

The bass will turn brown - not an attractive brown just _brown_ - in the log
on its rapid way to dust. End of next summer the log will be a loss even if
you give it some elevation. It's plain vanilla, all the way through,
otherwise. If you've wanted to do some coloring or pyrography, well, it'll
take some to make the bass look good.

Sounds like I'd better get it turned right away... maybe I'll make
some bowls and vases for the wife to do her pyrography on. Might make
some chess men, too.

The yellow birch is a prize worth carrying.

Yep, hope they'll let me have it!