Box Elder burl tree

[Toby Bouder]

Brought home this tree last month, should keep me busy for a while! I may have to donate some to the woodturners club. Not sure my skills are up to doing justice to this wood.

[Mike Peace]

Nice haul. Got some good looking flame there. My suggestion is when you are breaking it down, cut some into 2 1/2 to 3 1/2" turning squares for ornaments, boxes and such. Nice to have on hand.

[Toby Bouder]

I do have the quartersawn slabs with the pith removed and most are about that thickness. I haven't done much with ornaments or boxes, but I do plan to in the future. I haven't done hollowforms yet either, I think I will let the more experienced club members tackle that.

[Scott Hackler]

Get the pith out of it ASAP and seal the tar out of it. In my experience, box elder goes bad a lot quicker that most woods.

BTW, you should put your location in your profile so we can see where your from (and where your hiding the box elder!) :)

[Toby Bouder]

Get the pith out of it ASAP and seal the tar out of it. In my experience, box elder goes bad a lot quicker that most woods.

BTW, you should put your location in your profile so we can see where your from (and where your hiding the box elder!) :)
Just did the profile update. I'm still working on cutting up and sealing the last giant piece of burl trunk. It is over 3 feet in diameter! Thanks for your advice Scott.

[Tim Rinehart]

That's about as fine a wood gloat as I've seen in a while. Box elder itself makes for very interesting pieces, and the burl is some of the most desired burls around...at least in my book!

[Ron Crosby]

Watch your back you old dudes.
Nice wood!!

[john davey]

I gotta admit that is one ugly tree but it has beautiful looking wood inside :)

[charlie knighton]

those burls will be nice, enjoy

[Steve Schlumpf]

Wow!! Congrats on all that beautiful wood! Wish I had one of those blue wood picker-uppers! Sure would come in handy every now and then! Have fun turning!!

[Steve bellinger]

man why can't i ever find something like that.Great gloat for sure

[Baxter Smith]

That ranks near the top of all the wood gloats I have seen. Enjoy!!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Wow now that should keep out of trouble for a day or two. That is going to make some nice pieces.

[robert baccus]

Thats a kings ransom in wood. Worth thousands if thats your choice. Word of caution--BE has a lot of sugar in it and just loves to black mildew if not used soon. That can be pretty or ugly???? Try to let it dry some--maybe just wax the end grain or whatever. I was there a year ago. Also it turns green like froz butter--dry not so good. Rather chippy. Doesn,t seem to move curing and turning it to final thickness worked for several of us. crotchy cajun

[Kathy Marshall]

Wow! Now that is one heck of a haul! Even without the burl it's a great gloat, looks like some nice flame in those logs.

[robert raess]

In some pieces i like to leave the pith in at just about rim height[bowls] and turn it thin and take off the lathe and watch what happens.It's nice to see a piece warp,i think it adds interest.IMO, i've enjoyed turning wet Box Elder as much as anything, altho Apricot,Myrtle, Maple are a lot of fun.there was a tree in Wis. that was very old and full of burls[box elder] i couldn't fit the whole tree in my truck back to Az., so i harvested all the burl caps, and to this day they always attract a lot of attention once finished. Rob

[Jim Burr]

Road trip!!

[Toby Bouder]

In some pieces i like to leave the pith in at just about rim height[bowls] and turn it thin and take off the lathe and watch what happens.It's nice to see a piece warp,i think it adds interest.IMO, i've enjoyed turning wet Box Elder as much as anything, altho Apricot,Myrtle, Maple are a lot of fun.there was a tree in Wis. that was very old and full of burls[box elder] i couldn't fit the whole tree in my truck back to Az., so i harvested all the burl caps, and to this day they always attract a lot of attention once finished. Rob

Thanks for the idea Rob. I think I will do a few like that to see what happens.

[Mike Cruz]

Hmmmmm, how far is Liverpool from me??????:rolleyes: That's one hell of a score, Toby! Just checked...only 2 1/2 hours! :D