Sassafras

[Tom Godley]

I returned home today to find my favorite tree lying all over the back yard of my house. Felled by a freak storm last night.

It was a huge majestic tree - I loved it -- it was the focal point of the yard.

I am very lucky in that it did very little damage. I built a brick and tile outdoor kitchen a few years ago and the tree fell directly on it -- just missing all the built appliances. Unbelievable!

So -- how is Sassafras to turn?? I should try to make something out of it.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I love turning sassafras. Turns nice and smells good. I have bought quite a bit.

[Gary Max]

Yup what Bernie said--------don't let it get to dry before you use it.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

It's nice for flat work too.

[Dolan Brown]

I have made a couple of pens with it. Turns great. Also made a small hall table with it for the top. Looks nice with the walnut legs.

[Jim Becker]

Tom, bummer on the tree coming down, but it could be very nice for turning. In fact, I'd be interested in trading you a couple hunks of nice cherry from the one a storm brought down recently here for a couple hunks of that sassafras. I only have some little, tiny sassafras on the property.

[Tom Godley]

Well ........ The first estimate to remove the tree is $1800.00 :(


Jim -- this occurred at my house in NJ. Two thirds of the tree broke away leaving part of the tree still standing. The part that fell is sitting like a seesaw on my BBQ - if it goes down on either side I am in trouble.


I have to figure out what is the best way to take care of this -- my chain saw is too small.

Jim I certainly can get you a section. But many of the "hunks" that I have received from others ended up having cracks in them -- what is the best way to go about getting good wood.

The tree diameter is too large to cary a very large section?

[Bill Bolen]

Darn, I sure wish Eureka was closer to you. I'd be there in a flash for some of that wood...Bill..

[scott spencer]

I've never turned the stuff Tom, but it works great as furniture grade lumber....smells good, works good, looks good...

[Steve Schlumpf]

Tom - I wish you luck in removing the tree! For $1800 I would buy a larger chainsaw and do it myself - but - I don't know your situation and how large the tree actually is. Should make some great turnings! Make sure once you cut the wood to seal the fresh cut ends with anchorseal - or something to keep the wood from drying out to fast and cracking.

Looking forward to seeing what you turn out of it!

[Christopher Zona]

Well ........ The first estimate to remove the tree is $1800.00 :(

A couple of suggestions, since I cut trees on the side.

First and foremost, don't let ego get in the way of safety. If you have even the slightest doubt if you can do it yourself, don't.

Second, obviously, get a couple more quotes. It sounds like a tricky fall, so your quotes may be a bit higher than you may expect.

Third, is it possible to claim it through home owner's insurance?

Good luck with the turning.

[Dan Forman]

Part of the fee will probably be disposing of the wood, so tell them you want to keep anything over 8", and get it sealed quickly after it is cut.

Dan

[Jarrod McGehee]

I haven't worked with it but I hear it smells great so give it a go. And if you'd like some pepper full of burls I could trade you for some of your stuff. And it's a bummer it fell and did that damage. Good luck getting it cut up cheap or yourself.

[Matt Hutchinson]

It's great for use in all areas of woodworking, though its color tone is a little drab. However, I have found some spectacular figure in crotch pieces, and I recommend that you definitely keep those around.

Hutch

[Nathan Hawkes]

I've heard it called 'poor man's chestnut' before. I don't think it looks that much like chestnut, but it looks nice for sure. A friend's kitchen cabinets are sasfrass. Nice wood for certain, and a large one is certainly not common. I've not seen any much larger than about a foot or so around. Steve is right about the removal. Buy a good chainsaw with at least a 20" or larger bar, and don't look back. Get anchorseal on the ends as soon as you can, and keep it out of the sun to keep it from checking badly. If you have some nice long straight sections, it might be worth having those milled--lots of folks will come to your house and saw your wood for you, certainly for a lot less than $1800!!!


Be safe, and get yourself a pair of kevlar chaps along with the new chainsaw. You ought to be able to outfit yourself with a great saw, maybe Stihl MS361 or 390, husqvarna 357XP or 455, as well as chaps, helmet, gloves and boots for less than half of your quoted removal cost.