Someone has offered me 5 fresh cut cottonwood trees. Butt logs are fairly good size 30″-40″ in diameter, no limbs until the second or third log. I’m estimating there is about 1200-1500 board feet. I own a Woodmizer and could cut it up fairly easy. My question, is it worth cutting into lumber? Any suggestions on what to cut it into??? I currently have no use for it. I’m not in the business of making baskets or crates.
Anybody have any ideas for this wood. Would carvers like it if I cut it into blocks?
Thanks
Replies
In my opinion, it wouldn't be worth the effort. I don't feel that cottonwood is suitable for most furniture applications because it is so soft. Even where hardness is not an issue, such as drawer sides, its instability doesn't make it a good choice. You would have to find alot of buyers to sell all that lumber to wood carvers or turners, as they typically don't use very much wood. It's not suitable for large outdoor wood carvings because it has no rot resistence to speak of. Pallet use may be the only practical application for such a large amount.
Just my opinion.
I had 1200 ft. + of eastern cottonwood quarter sawn, 1x8" x10' and paneled my shop. Looks nice, some fuzz but not a major problem. If I recall the tree had a dbh of 38"...It stinks when you work it. If I recall I had 187 board and lost three of them during AD. When I closely checked them out I believe they were bad due to the WM's blade got dull and did the hortizontal "s" thing.....Dale
We used it in Missouri only for framing and constructing outbuildings like chicken houses and similar structures which weren't expected to last long anyhow. Rough sawn undried cottonwood in 1960 was 4-5 cents per board foot.
Tony -
Don't know where you're located but ....
Some of the locals around here have mentioned that cottonwood has been and is used as inner plies in plywood. I'm in Skagit Co. WA state. Of course your woodmiser isn't gonna produce plywood plies but you might be able to market it to a mill that does plywood if there's one in your area.
If you decide to mill the stuff, wear rain gear! It's full of water. At least those that grow around here are.
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
And.....It even smells bad when you use it for firewood.....
Tony: member since 3/19/03 - # of posts: 1
I guess you qualify as 'long term lurker'...
I used cottonwood for a guest bedroom floor - the second floor of a renovated 1840's log cabin - - a comfortable on the feet, no splinter, close grained floor - - yes, it is rather soft, but plenty tough enough - - it is a traditional material for barn floors, and I used salvaged 2"X8"-10"-12" cottonwood from such a floor for my 'temporary' shop floor - 20 years later I did have to replace it (with concrete, unfortunately), but it served well and was a very comfortable surface to stand/work on..
I am a woodmizer owner of about a month (tho I have rented them for 20 years) - a great machine -
don't wait so long to post again :>)
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