Walnut "Logs" - Now what do I do?

[Tom Cooney]

Hey Gang,

Sitting on the floor of my office this morning were two walnut logs (~4 ft x 14 in, ~3 ft x 12 in). A co-worker had a limb break off of an ancient walnut tree in his yard and brought the pieces in to me. They are currently sitting in the back of my truck.

I have read previously that limb wood is very difficult to work with. Is there any hope or should I bite the bullet and make some beautiful firewood?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Tom

[David Wilson]

Sounds like a spinny thing. They also would make good material for band saw boxes.

[Jim Becker]

Yea, some limb stock is a little harder to work with due to the stresses imparted to it over the years. If you are a turner, that would be my first choice for those logs. If not, saw the stock with small projects in mind...wood movement is less likely to wreak havoc in that case. Properly drying the stock will also be helpful...be sure it's stickered and held flat with plenty of air flow through your pile.