I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

Funny - in this part of Texas, hackberrys are considered weeds. It's the only tree I've seen that will draw swarms of flies while you're cutting it down.

I've taken out four of them in the last 15 years - 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet diameter, 60 feet+ tall. Wish I'd known some was worth saving; people here won't even put it in fireplaces or stoves.

There are still some huge pieces by the burn pile from the last one.

What did you use it for?

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

lid wrote:
Funny - in this part of Texas, hackberrys are considered weeds. It's the only tree I've seen that will draw swarms of flies while you're cutting it down.

I've taken out four of them in the last 15 years - 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet diameter, 60 feet+ tall. Wish I'd known some was worth saving; people here won't even put it in fireplaces or stoves.

There are still some huge pieces by the burn pile from the last one.

What did you use it for?

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry treeusa...
 

Mon, Oct 16, 2006, 6:44pm (EDT+4) lid
) doth sayeth:
Funny - in this part of Texas, hackberrys are considered weeds. snip

Hackberry*
(Celtis occidentalis)
*Description*
The Lakota name for this species is Yamnúmnugapi , meaning "crunching
with teeth." Hackberry has an alternate,
finely-toothed, ovate leaf that is lopsided at the base. The small round
fruit becomes purple when ripe. The bark is grayish and covered with
distinctive warty projections.*
Distribution*
Hackberry is found from North Dakota to Vermont and Oklahoma to North
Carolina. It is found throughout most of South Dakota, except in the
north-western quarter.
Hackberry is a floodplain species. In the western extreme of its range,
however, it is often found in ravines or low areas. The moisture
conditions in these areas are more dependable than some rivers since the
water drains in from the surrounding area. The depressions also shelter
the trees from the harsh winds and summer heat. Along the lower Missouri
River, hackberry is found on the upper slopes of the floodplain rather
than in low areas.
Size: Hackberry is a long-lived tree, often reaching the age of 150
years. It can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m).
Our state champion is 65 feet (20 m) tall and is in Brandon.
Significance
Hackberry wood is fairly soft and coarse grained. It is only
occasionally used for lumber. The primary use for hackberry is
as a shade and windbreak tree. The Dakotas used the hackberry berries as
a flavoring for meat. The fruit is eaten by
pheasants, wild turkeys, robins and other birds.



JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

And the "processed" (by birds) fruit will take the paint off a car. Got the
primer, too. I was NOT happy. It was a recently painted Pantera. Darn
birds!!!...
Respectfully,
Ron Moore

wrote in message
.. .
Funny - in this part of Texas, hackberrys are considered weeds. It's the
only tree I've seen that will draw swarms of flies while you're cutting it
down.

I've taken out four of them in the last 15 years - 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet
diameter, 60 feet+ tall. Wish I'd known some was worth saving; people
here won't even put it in fireplaces or stoves.

There are still some huge pieces by the burn pile from the last one.

What did you use it for?

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

Hackberry is indeed a "trash wood" if you try to use it for lumber or
firewood. However, it is a favorite of woodturners for bowls and
hollow forms, especially after spalting. (If you ever have to take out
a mature hackberry, let your local woodturning club or a professional
woodturner know before you do so . . . you may find that they are more
than willing to "dispose" of large parts of it for you.)

When freshly cut, the wood is a rather boring whitish color with little
discernable grain. However, after 6 months of spalting, the wood
typically takes on a tan or grey cast, with striking, highly
contrasting black, dark brown, and/or dark green grain. It works and
finishes well, and when finished it often reminds many people of
marble.

Typically, the logs are sawn into 2-3' lengths, with the ends and any
cuts painted with greenwood sealer and then set aside (ideally, outside
in a shaded place) for 6-12 months to spalt, and then cut in half
lengthwise and bandsawed into turning blanks.

LKB in Houston

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

"Ron Moore" wrote in message
news:ICTYg.8027$eZ4.2489@dukeread06...
And the "processed" (by birds) fruit will take the paint off a car. Got
the primer, too. I was NOT happy. It was a recently painted Pantera.
Darn birds!!!...

You've got a Pantera? Way cool--always lusted after one of those or a
Mangusta when I was a kid.

If it's a regular driver and not a show car I'd bite the bullet and put
Imron on it. Doesn't give the same kind of finish as hand-rubbed lacquer
but it's nearly indestructible.


snip

I want to read some old woodworking books -- Hackberry tree usage??? Attn: Mark Wells
 

Unfortunately, a long time gone. The Mangusta had better lines but had even
more overheating problems. I don't know if it had the same bad design or
just airflow through the radiator. It was a LOT of fun to drive.
Interesting to think that the harmonic balancer was less than six inches
from the drivers right elbow. Thanks for the comments.
Respectfully,
Ron Moore

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
"Ron Moore" wrote in message
news:ICTYg.8027$eZ4.2489@dukeread06...
And the "processed" (by birds) fruit will take the paint off a car. Got
the primer, too. I was NOT happy. It was a recently painted Pantera.
Darn birds!!!...

You've got a Pantera? Way cool--always lusted after one of those or a
Mangusta when I was a kid.

If it's a regular driver and not a show car I'd bite the bullet and put
Imron on it. Doesn't give the same kind of finish as hand-rubbed lacquer
but it's nearly indestructible.


snip