Maybe I missed out

[Tim Hoyt]

I recently answered a Craigslist ad for free maple from a freshly cut tree in a guys yard. When I got there, there was maybe a 40" diameter log about 15' long. That was all besides some branches. Upon closer examination I discovered this was a yard tree that had been severly pruned of all branches many times. This was done to keep the tree low and to make it branch out quite a bit. This can make for a pretty tree some people feel.

I left the top piece of the log. You could see many many branch stubs that had been cut off over the years. My wife and I were exhausted and I quickly said to leave it- too knotty and weird. Now I'm having second thoughts.

Did I leave a diamond in the rough? Anybody ever fooled with something like this?

Thanks
Tim

[Grant Wilkinson]

I like turning end grain vases with lots of knots in the side walls. It's challenging to stop cracking from the knots, but the results can be quite spectacular.

[John Hart]

Yup...spectacular is a good word. I always wanted one of those trees.

[Bill Boehme]

Although I'm sure it would look nice, I seriously doubt that I personally would care to turn it. Turning it into something attractive would certainly be the best thing that has ever happened to that poor mistreated tree.

[Doug W Swanson]

I find that some of the ugliest wood on the outside makes for some pretty wood on the inside :)

[William Bachtel]

Sounds like you want straight, clean, big, cut round, and dry, ready to turn. Oh I forgot no knots. I wood grab some of that wood. Learning is by doing. Just do it, you won't regret it, I hope.