I’ve a 20 y/o cherry tree, roughly 10 in in diameter a couple of feet above the ground. I planted it and know it to be metal free. Short story, it’s coming down. Base to 1st crotch is oh maybe 3 1/2 ft with 2 branches above that which are maybe 6 in in diameter.another 3 ft of “clean” growth above that on each branch.
Ive never taken down a tree and used it for anything but firewood. I know if I want something out of this I’ll be handling all by myself.
The tree is “family special.”
I don’t do a lot of really small projects… boxes, etc, but this may be the time, after air drying, to consider doing so.
Is this worth my effort? I turn a (very little) bit. A mallet from the crotch wood came to mind. Greenwood spoons came to mind. Rough milling and air drying whatever 3/4 wood I can get out of it… with an eye towards 2/4 or 3/8 final milled narrow boards – after giving up the pith came to mind…
I may have to take slabs off with a chain saw or a rip saw. I’ve got a hair over 6 in of clear space on my band saw.
1. Worth the effort?
2. A green wood job or air dry?
3. I know to seal the end grain if I rip it down or seal an entire chunk. Any other input?
4. If I air dry it,it likely will be stickered indoors. I’m in Ohio and today, in August, it’s about 70% humidity. My shop doesn’t get much below 30%. I keep it about 40F in the winter. Any thoughts as to whether this is a 2 or 4 year dry? I’m not so old it won’t wait… hopefully I’ve got a few more years in me than that.
Any and all input, thoughts, etc. welcome. Worst case, it ends up in the fireplace at Christmas in a couple of years with the smaller pieces, or chopped n dried to smoke meats on the grill. Thanks!
Replies
I'm sure others will have differing opinions but for me it just isn't worth the effort. If you air dry it you will have to wait a couple of years before making anything from it. Go to a reputable hardwood dealer and get wood that's about 8% moisture content. Cherry, walnut, ash, maple--they are not that expensive and are immediately ready to be used.
You can get nice things from fine trees like cherry. This is what I got from an Apple tree I cut down in my daughters backyard. There is also a finished product from a small log of catalpa and from decayed apple finished with a clear poly. I paint the ends of the small planks and put them under the lathe and forget about them until I need a small piece of lumber to make a cutting board or tool handle. The wood is turned green and let to dry in bags with shavings for one year. If in a hurry, I use the microwave and give the turned blanks two minute bursts every hour until the weight stabilize, usually 10 to 20 times in the microwave. I even screen my firewood for curly maple, and I got many beautiful rolling pins from them.
If the tree has special meaning to you than it is totally worth it. I have a number of small pieces of wood in my shop from various trees we have cut down. I just slab them out with my bandsaw and let them dry. Some pieces are well over a decade old and I use bits and pieces for details on projects. It is nice to have and if you make something for a family member, having a special piece of wood in the project gives it more meaning. It may only be a handle or an inlay, but the meaning is still there.
Use some of it as greenwood and set some aside to dry. No need to use it all up now.
Seal the ends and just let it sit. Some will split and warp, don't worry about it. It will dry faster than you think. The humidity levels you mention are relative humidity levels not absolute humidity levels, which is what is measured in a board. I suspect they will reach a stable moisture level in less than a year.
I see no downside to trying to make something useful out of this tree except lost time and this is a hobby, not a job. If it does end up on the smoker, I think cherry smoked pork is delicious.
Salvage as much as you can, but don't sweat the small stuff. Typically, fresh cut hardwood takes a year per inch thickness to air dry properly - a 2" thick slab will take two years before you can start the milling process. Currently, I'm waiting on 1,100 bd ft of 24" wide cherry to dry.
That said, you have to have the machinery and manpower to get this to usable lumber; and this is a hard road. Depending on the amount of wood, a woodmizer may be needed (rented) to slab the logs; or you can push them through a large bandsaw, if you're up to the physical labor involved. (This can be dangerous, and expensive on blades and machine use and abuse).
It may be worth the effort just to determine the amount of effort needed, for the next time you can do this. I've salvaged black locust, man-handled through the bandsaw, cleaned and dressed the surfaces and sides; and have the furniture to prove it.
Best of Luck; and be careful!
A 10" trunk is not a ton of wide planks, but could be a perfect chance to try some greenwood projects. A shop stool for yourself or maybe or a footstool for everyone that loved the tree. Riving a 10" trunk is pretty doable.
You won't get much in the form of lumber, and much of what you can cut will split or twist. And a lot will be sapwood. Branches, especially, are useless as dimensioned lumber. But you can get some nice projects out of it.
This would be a great time to learn some bowl turning. A mallet is great, but not from the crotch. You can turn a lot of pens for family. Spoons! The branches are ideal for spoons.
I was able to get lumber from a family tree and I and my family members have a very special appreciation for the items I’ve made from it. I made a few picture frames, a few large cutting boards, and a couple of trays and some other items and we really treasure those things, so my vote is yes, cut the lumber, make things and keep the memories.
I would try to salvage it, especially if it has sentimental value. Its just that the amount of usable wood will be less than you might think after you've processed it. You're right that you can always use small pieces and chunks for the grill. Storage is critical as bugs can get to it if you cover it (DAMHIKT). But note that if this was a backyard fruit tree (sweet or sour cherries) its not the same tree as the black cherry tree used for lumber purposes, so the wood properties will be different.
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