Hi All, <!—-><!—-><!—->
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I had a friend call me and ask if I was interested in some Apple wood from a big old apple tree. I was wondering two things, is it worth my time and effort to cut it, transport it, and get it milled and second where would I go to have it milled? Could it be milled on-site by a milling service? I live in central to eastern MA. The tree is in <!—-><!—-><!—->Norwood <!—-> <!—->MA<!—-> <!—->.<!—-><!—->
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Thanks<!—-> <!—->
Steve<!—-> <!—->
Replies
It'd be good for the barbeque if nothing else...
Apple wood can be quite beautiful but not as nice as pear wood and not as stable.
In the past hand saws had apple wood handles.
I know a guy with a portable mill in central Mass, does a vey nice job. Drop me an e-mail if you want to contact him.C.
Yeah its worth it. Apple is pretty and nice to work with. It has exceedingly tight grain so its good for carving, its pretty strong and can be polished to a high luster. It also turns beautifully.
I think the problem with it is that apple grows slowly and never gets really big. So if you have access to a large tree, I think you'd be crazy not to take it.
I have apple I hoard for tool making, it would make excellent wooden plane bodies. I've made various tool handles out it and carved a wooden wimble (brace) out of some last year. You could easily make anything out of it that you might use Cherry for. I'd go for it.
Adam
If you are careful with your drying the wood is very nice also pretty dense. Worse case it is great for the fireplace or BBQ as others have noted. If you have room I would take it.
Troy
Steve,
DO NOT use it in a fire place !!!!! Apple is under rated. I made some real nice tool handles and an awesome carved gunstock for my friends 270 rifle. I wish I had some pictures of it. He has a lot of people tell him the have never seen a stock like that and they are supprised when he tells them its apple. It checkered real nice and still maintains the sharp points. I work out of boston.. if you dont want it let me know.
Mac
Henry Disston made most of his saw handles out of apple for ~90 years. Many of these saws survive with the original handles still in place- quite a testament to the wood's utility when you consider that some of these saws are over a hundred years old and have seen hard use.GlauconIf you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Edited 6/1/2006 1:37 pm ET by Glaucon
I did not mean to sound like I was saying burning it was the first choice but that what ever you do you can find a use for all of it. It is definitely worth saving.Troy
It's beautiful! I used apple "crooks," the joints between large branches and the trunk for "knees" in wooden boats. To pay the orchard owner for his graciousness, I made him an apple shelf, hung on a pair of knees (shelf brackets).
Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
Be very carefull about burning it. Around here the story is that burning apple wood causes babies to be born.
I have heard that also, especially if you burn it under some nice Salmon or trout, even worse if you ad a nice wine with the fish in a dimly lit room:)
Most old apple trees are hollow. If not you vert fortunate. I had a pair of book matched spaulted door for a cabinet. I wish I kept it for my self. The apple was very nice.Ron in Peabody
Ron, this is an excellent point. My biggest concern is whether there is any rot. I have a feeling the tree may be in poor condition and that is why they want it removed. Still waiting on more info from the owner.
It's difficult to keep the board flat when drying. Cut them extra thick so they can be machined flat after drying.
The wood works well, finishes nicely and looks great.
I have used it in thicknesses from 1/4" to 3/4".
Go for it!
It is a wonderful turning wood! I have made dozens of bowls and boxes from it. If you let it spalt a llittle the colors become very vivid, also it smells like good whiskey when you turn it
http://www.cnew.org/ Is a woodturning group from your area that would love apple wood or do some swapping. They meet in Worcester
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