Circle of life

Gargamel · 07-27-16, 11:53 PM

Or, also known as Taxidermy For Trees.

I planted this (Silver?) maple tree 35 odd years ago as a little kid. There were 6 flower pots I planted from the Helicopter seeds that had fallen of our tree in Mechanicsburg, PA. I think 4 of them sprouted, and we transferred them from house to house as we moved a few times while growing up. The last move, only one of the remaining 2 could be moved again, and it ended up in the front yard of our house. That was 25 years ago. Since then, it has grown into a good sized tree for a front yard.

Last year, I collected 3 more seed pods, and now have 3 saplings growing in the back garden, eventually looking for a final home. Most likely my back yard once I get settled in my new place.

Tonight, my father and I were talking, and I mentioned I was going to get the snips out and take down a couple small branches to eventually make pens out of. He said, just take that whole lower limb, it always gets in the way while you're mowing. So I did. Ended up with a whole bunch more wood than I can ever use in pens.

So tonight, I turned a bowl from the wood. It's technically an Ambrosia Silver Maple, as the dark streaks are from the residue of the Ambrosia Beetle, makes for good figure in the wood. The wood is so green, the wood was splattering on me as I turned it. The bowl feels like it was just dunked under water for a while, it's that wet. I can see the moisture slowly working it's way out. I know it will warp, and that's ok, it will give it a natural melted look to it. But I can't even sand it yet.

And yes, I used the reciprocating saw to cut a tree. Chainsaw is out of commission right now.

Onkel Neal · 07-28-16, 01:36 AM

Subscribed

Wolferz · 07-28-16, 06:23 AM

That's going to look really nice once sanded and sealed.

Eichhörnchen · 07-28-16, 02:53 PM

Here's something you might be interested in:

http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/m...ridge-ware.htm

My maternal grandfather was one of the last craftsmen making Tunbridge Ware

Penguin · 07-28-16, 03:38 PM

That's pretty cool! I'm always a little jealous at folks able to do carpentry work, as I probably would have chopped off both my own arms trying to make the bowl.

Gargamel · 07-28-16, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

That's pretty cool! I'm always a little jealous at folks able to do carpentry work, as I probably would have chopped off both my own arms trying to make the bowl.

My bowl turning technique is still very...... green. ::rimshot::. It scares the hell out of me turning bowls still. I need to learn better technique.

07-27-16, 11:53 PM	#1
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Circle of life Or, also known as Taxidermy For Trees. I planted this (Silver?) maple tree 35 odd years ago as a little kid. There were 6 flower pots I planted from the Helicopter seeds that had fallen of our tree in Mechanicsburg, PA. I think 4 of them sprouted, and we transferred them from house to house as we moved a few times while growing up. The last move, only one of the remaining 2 could be moved again, and it ended up in the front yard of our house. That was 25 years ago. Since then, it has grown into a good sized tree for a front yard. Last year, I collected 3 more seed pods, and now have 3 saplings growing in the back garden, eventually looking for a final home. Most likely my back yard once I get settled in my new place. Tonight, my father and I were talking, and I mentioned I was going to get the snips out and take down a couple small branches to eventually make pens out of. He said, just take that whole lower limb, it always gets in the way while you're mowing. So I did. Ended up with a whole bunch more wood than I can ever use in pens. So tonight, I turned a bowl from the wood. It's technically an Ambrosia Silver Maple, as the dark streaks are from the residue of the Ambrosia Beetle, makes for good figure in the wood. The wood is so green, the wood was splattering on me as I turned it. The bowl feels like it was just dunked under water for a while, it's that wet. I can see the moisture slowly working it's way out. I know it will warp, and that's ok, it will give it a natural melted look to it. But I can't even sand it yet. And yes, I used the reciprocating saw to cut a tree. Chainsaw is out of commission right now. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

07-28-16, 01:36 AM	#2
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Subscribed __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

07-28-16, 06:23 AM	#3
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	That's going to look really nice once sanded and sealed. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

07-28-16, 02:53 PM	#4
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,380 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Tunbridge Ware Here's something you might be interested in: http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/m...ridge-ware.htm My maternal grandfather was one of the last craftsmen making Tunbridge Ware __________________

07-28-16, 03:38 PM	#5
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	That's pretty cool! I'm always a little jealous at folks able to do carpentry work, as I probably would have chopped off both my own arms trying to make the bowl.