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Black Walnut Branch - Sometimes You Get Lucky

Got to play with some freshly cut Black Walnut branches - that came with the bark, and some moss, on. Wet, the heartwood is almost black and the sapwood is almost white. the contrast is startling. The problem is that branches seldom grow nice and straight and growth rings perfectly symetric around the pith. Throw in some knots and some pin knots and things get really interesting. Turning the piece becomes a hide and go seek adventure filled with wonder - as in "I wonder which way the heartwood around this knot runs?".

Anyway, what turned out, literally, was dictated by the wood. I just listened when it yelled "STOP!"

Another one of those "Did I really make that?" things.

Definitely a keeper, even if it splits or cracks.

Have a look.

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Fun stuff this woodworking thing. Turning is addictive (and messy as hell!) charlie b

Reply to
charlie b
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I could be mistaken, but...

I don't believe branches can exist above a certain diameter with the pith centered. The weight of the branch dictates that the growth will be thicker on the bottom-side than the top to support it.

BTW, I very much like Black Walnut - one of my favorites and will always hoard it when I can.

Reply to
Owen Lowe

I don't think that I have ever come across a tree where the pith is centered in any part that I have cut into. Once I got a piece of osage orange with the pith on the very edge of the round, I mean within a quarter of an inch from the bark, and the round was oval, about 12 inches by 8 inches. Aint nature strange! robo hippy

Reply to
robo hippy

Start with a tightly packed nursery tree. They seemed to be conditioned to grow long straight branches - straight up. Plant it in a somewhat horizontally confined space and you'll get some long straight branches that have the pith almost centered. I've got a few dozen of them pruned from a fruitless plum that after a year of drying, make great spindles, magic wands, and whatever else you can turn from something a little over and inch in diameter. Unlike walnut, which has very thick bark, the bark layer is very thin, though hard on cutting edges.

charlie b

Reply to
charlie b

Owen,

Logger just dropped two Black Walnuts on my property line!!! They're mine now!

Breaking my heart to see all the wood on the ground. I want this one - wait, that one too - wow, look at that one - etc. etc.

Do you know anything about Sourwood? Got a chance to get some. The leaves are beautiful in the fall but the trunks go every which way. I'm wondering what the grain's like.

TomNie

Reply to
Tom Nie

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