Hi, I have a peach tree out back that had an infestation of borers a few years back. I hoped it woould get better, but the fruit yield has gotten less each year and this year none at all, so I guess it needs to come down. Are there any special things to look out for in turning this wood other than the usual fruit wood tendency to check immediately? Any words of wisdom appreciated. TIA
Ken Moon Webberville, TX.
Hey Ken, Your post is scary. I haven't yielded any fruit in 'lo these many years, but I hope to stay up a little longer. Damage from borers might be a reason for euthanasia, but is a non-bearing benign old peach tree (or whatever) all that bad? :) & :(
No words of wisdom here, just another good question diverted by bad humor. I bet you know more about trees and forestry than most of us. Except, of course, that guy in Nashville or the one in the environs of Macon or any turner along Peachtree street from Atlanta to the sea.
(to shorten your fingers, lengthen the gap between toolrest and workpiece)
Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter
Wear a GOOD face mask... I turned a bunch of plum wood from an orchard a few months ago... same borer problem..
I got a LOT of baby borers (segmented worms) in the wood, and when ejected or sheared, they always head for your face...
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
Hi Ken
I assume peach, plum, cherry, apricot are all very similar in their reaction to turning and drying, the ones I turned were bad in checking, I had most success with finish turning them and immediately giving them a coat of CA glue, the other day I asked if anyone had experience turning Lilac wood and someone thought boiling would maybe the way to go, anyway I tried that and I also painted one with CA they all cracked but not the one I put the CA on, not very scientific I know but that's the best answer I have, I will certainly try it again with the wood still have and on some honey suckle wood that also behaved very bad on a little try out I did at the same time
Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo
Ken Mo> Hi,
Leo,
I wonder if CA has just slowed down the process considerably, rather than "cured" it? CA is a pretty good sealer, but I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere down the road the CA'd pieces eventually crack. Same stresses inside the wood, it just takes longer for the moisture to get out. Just a thought. Let us know how it works in the long run.
Hi Chuck
I certainly have thought about that, and it was one reason for giving it a try, I was hoping that by really slowing down the drying I would minimize the moisture gradient in the wood, and so far so good, we'll see and let you know, (if I remember )
Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo
Chuck wrote:
I have turned a fair amount of peach. Like you, mine comes from dead branches I trim. I age it a couple of years in a plastic bag and have at it. Makes pretty stuff. No particular problems. A touch of stain in the finish brings up the figure better--I use Golden Oak but almost anything aimed at a light wood would probably work.
Bob Moody
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