Possible gloat, well, maybe in a year or two...

[Gary R Katz]

Our 80+ year old apple tree was removed and I took the base (24" diameter crotch) and 2 sections of 12" X 8 ft. trunk to the sawmill. I was excited to find beautiful grain and color while the rot was not too extensive. The 3rd generation sawyer said he thought this was one of the better apple specimens he's seen. Today I stacked and stickered the lumber and topped it off with about 300 lbs. of concrete block to weight it down. Hopefully that will minimize it warping as it dries. the MC is measuring between 37%-48% so it's got a lot of drying to do.

I spent a lot of time on SMC checking into handling this cantankerous apple wood. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience! :)




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[Sean Troy]

WOW! That's some beautiful wood.

[Gary R Katz]

Thanks Sean, I wish I could take credit for it. It's Mother Nature.

[Bill McNiel]

Gary,
I'm not that far from you, I'd love a slab of that BEAUTIFUL wood. Take if from a guy who has a of of slabs, "you done good son". I have highly figured maple slabs that have been air drying for 10 to 30 years. Trade?

[Gary R Katz]

Hi Bill,
I'd definitely be interested in a trade. I would think we should wait a bit and make sure my slabs aren't going to crack too badly. Maybe one of us will find our way North or South on I-5 and we can meet up somewhere. We should trade emails or something.

[Daniel O'Neill]

That is beautiful! Nice Job!

[Gary R Katz]

Thanks Daniel! The sawyer knew what he was doing while I only pulled the lumber off the sawmill.

[Jim Becker]

Truly beautiful stuff!

[Joe Beaulieu]

Hey Gary

That is really beautiful wood. I hear that if you load it in your truck and drive down I5 through California that it will dry without cupping or cracking. Its important NOT to tie it down too tightly, and when you get to Tracy or so you have to drive very slowly.

:-)

Joe