View Full Version : What to do with my Black Walnut Tree?
drift_g35
06-26-2013, 08:59
About 2 weeks after I bought my house, I received a letter from Denver saying that my Black walnut tree had a disease and I needed to have it removed. It didnt have a dead branch on it so I ignored it. That was 2 years ago. Last year it took forever to leaf but when it did it looked about 90% healthy.
Now, its the end of july and every branch snaps off like its been dead for 10 years. I was going to cut it down and just use it as fire wood, but some research shows that it might be of interest to someone for wood working.
Any suggestions?
30585
Sell it on craigslist. Find people who cut wood down to sell. Very big in the south and east.
Cut it down, run it across a table saw and see what it looks like. You could probably find buyers for some of it. If not lots of hobbyists would love to have it. Your tree is small, not much trunk so you won't find people that are dying to buy it from you, not wide enough for gun stocks. It would be a shame to burn it, but if you go that route it's dense and should burn long & hot.
I have to take back my table saw comment. Alot of people would want it whole for carvings and sculptures.
Throw it on ebay, people will buy it.
JM Ver. 2.0
06-26-2013, 09:34
And I am the eBay guy if you need help.
It looks too small to be sawn into lumber. If so, I agree with the suggestions to sell. The market for 8" diameter black walnut logs is limited to turners and carvers.
For grins, call a local Woodcraft store and see if they would be interested
Reputable arborist with insurance. I see power lines, fencing and houses. The tree will most likely have to be taken out in pieces.
Should be some nice wood though.
Reputable arborist with insurance. I see power lines, fencing and houses. The tree will most likely have to be taken out in pieces.
^This.
drift_g35
06-26-2013, 10:20
The diameter in the picture may be deceiving, it is probably about 12". Dont know if that changes anything or not.
drift_g35
06-26-2013, 10:29
Actually I just had a great idea. With the help of anyone here, and if the wood is decent my fiance's grandpa was a big hobby wood worker. Maybe he could teach me how to make a stock for .... <insert gun here>
I literally know nothing about wood working so I dont know if this is even feasible. I know it was mentioned that the tree is not big enough in the diameter.
If it's 12" in dia it's a possibility if the wood is in good shape, you did mention a disease. The easiest way is to send the stock off to be inletted to fit your action. That's the hard part to do on your own in my experience. That done, then work on the shape, go wild and have fun. I can't think of any names off the top of my head but there are a few companies that will inlet a stock blank for you.
I worked with Valquartson and did the same thing for a 10/22. I could never have done the inletting myself and done a good job. But your gramps in law may be handier than I.
I've got a huge elm if you want a chunk of that for practice
drift_g35
06-26-2013, 11:10
I've got a huge elm if you want a chunk of that for practice
Do I have to cut it down myself ? haha
Look in the phone book for a small local sawmill or sawyer. You might get enough board size out of it to make it worth turning it into lumber. You can use a limb for a stock. I gotta tell you, though, that's a fairly advanced project. If your grandfather is a wood carver you can likely make it happen, but as mentioned the inletting will be the hard part. If I were attempting such a project, I'd be programming my CNC to do the inletting. Without that or a milling machine, you're stuck with a drill press and chisels. Lots of fussy work.
I'd sell it and buy a stock from Boyd's if you need one.
In my research on smokers, I've run across a lot of advice for using walnut wood. They all say that it imparts a very strong, unique flavor and it's not everyone's cup of tea, so be careful if you go that route with any of the leftover wood.
Whatever you do, do not use the remainder (sawdust, branches etc) for mulch. Many black walnut trees exude a toxic substance that affects plants, humans and horses in different ways. Personally, I'd avoid using it in a smoker as well. Here's some links with a more detailed explanation:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1148.html
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/fruits/blkwalnt.htm
http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/black-walnut-toxicity
Look in the phone book for a small local sawmill or sawyer. You might get enough board size out of it to make it worth turning it into lumber. You can use a limb for a stock. I gotta tell you, though, that's a fairly advanced project. If your grandfather is a wood carver you can likely make it happen, but as mentioned the inletting will be the hard part. If I were attempting such a project, I'd be programming my CNC to do the inletting. Without that or a milling machine, you're stuck with a drill press and chisels. Lots of fussy work.
I'd sell it and buy a stock from Boyd's if you need one.
http://oldetymelumber.com/
Talk to John.
Would/Could make a beautiful stock for a nice rifle..
colorider
06-26-2013, 13:56
Austin hardwoods in Denver may be interested in it. Or a custom pistol/rifle grip /stock maker.
My neighbor has a black walnut and we got to talking about that market. It is apparently very fruitful as there are stories of local residents being scammed out of their tree. Someone shows at their door claiming arborist or local authority, tells the owner the tree is diseased, but they will remove it for a small, reasonable fee.
rockhound
06-26-2013, 15:57
The diameter in the picture may be deceiving, it is probably about 12". Dont know if that changes anything or not.
did you just say your wood is bigger than it looks,
i was in the pool, i was in the pool [ROFL2]
JM Ver. 2.0
06-26-2013, 16:38
did you just say your wood is bigger than it looks,
i was in the pool, i was in the pool [ROFL2]
[LOL]
drift_g35
06-26-2013, 17:12
[LOL]
Hey I'm a grower not a shower! [Wiggle]
I'd bet it would make some good looking grips
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coldaudio
06-26-2013, 20:22
I can't do the removal, but would be happy to take a few pieces off your hands if you're just going to burn it. I'm thinking it'd be great for something like cutting boards, bowls, coasters, small boxes, etc. Lots of cool little things you can make with it.
Check out lumberjocks.com for project ideas... there's way more than you'll ever be able to look at.
To make a decent stock, the wood needs to dry, for a long time... If it doesn't, you run the risk of it warping through the drying process and putting stress in your action and or barrel. People who are in the business of selling stocks for firearms, dry them for long periods of time, like, two years long... Some put them in kilns to dry them faster, but that runs the chance of cracking the wood, however, they get the ability to sell faster, and more. It's a trade off.... Anyway, that's my input.
eddiemed
06-26-2013, 22:57
I'll take a few small pieces for turning into pens.
That tree is worth money.. There will be people out there that would at the least remove it for free and if your lucky you may even find someone that will pay you to remove it.
drift_g35
06-27-2013, 08:29
I'd bet it would make some good looking grips
Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".
I contacted a local guy to give him the wood and trade for 2 sets of 1911 grips made from the tree but he only uses polymer. Anyone know of a place that makes custom grips that would possibly be interested in some of this tree? Or anyone here know how to make some grips? I would really like to see the tree actually used for something, preferably gun stuff.
I make sig p238 & p938 wood grips, but I haven't made a good set of 1911's in a couple years. That is usually my winter hobby. I'd take some and if I didn't turn it into dust I would throw you a set or 2.
drift_g35
06-27-2013, 13:00
I make sig p238 & p938 wood grips, but I haven't made a good set of 1911's in a couple years. That is usually my winter hobby. I'd take some and if I didn't turn it into dust I would throw you a set or 2.
Done. You are first on the list for a limb or something. A 938 is on my list.
Done. You are first on the list for a limb or something. A 938 is on my list.
The 938 is a great gun but the factory slim grips just don't fit the hand that well. I'll send you a pic of the p238 grips I did for my wife, still slim but a way more comfortable grip. Thanks!
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The wood might be useless. It was most likely killed by a thousand cankers disease that is wiping out black walnuts in CO. This canker is a fungus carried by beetle that infect the tree. The fungus has most likely stained the wood similar to what mtn pine beetle does.
Oh DO NOT use it in the smoker.
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