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Walnut

203ntyp

203ntyp

PMA Member
I have a huge walnut tree that I always wondered if it could be used for veneer. The trunk must be 10' or more in circumference, but the main branches start about 6' above the trunk. Any thoughts on that?

Walnut.jpg
 
Not a wood expert, but I think for veneer, you'd have to go below the 6' limb by a fair stretch to avoid the grain of the wood headed the direction of the limb. How low though? Probably lower the interest in the log is my guess.
 
My understanding of veneer trees would cause me to say that I don't think you have one there. Hopefully I am wrong though. "Yard" trees, or really any walnut growing out in the "open" are not likely to be veneer quality because of things that can be seen in this pic, lower limbs being evident here. Veneer quality trees are usually found in valleys in the timber, where the tree/trunk has to "stretch" to get sunlight v. surrounding trees and therefore has few, as in no, lower branches. Also, no burls, holes, etc....which don't appear to be evident on this butt log.

Here, that huge branch on the right probably "starts" 4 or 5 feet lower on that butt. (I agree with JNRBronc's assessment.) Notice the slightly darker vertical segment of the bark below that branch. Now then, that is a STOUT log and maybe the right buyer would be glad to get one that diameter???

Good luck!
 
Not veneer like above describes. That one is past its prime for really any use. Probably some rot and to the RIGHT of your hat- u can see a line that’s “damage/defect” that could leave some rotted area. That tree…. Either let it live its life out. Or - find a buddy that does wood work…. Give him the tree & see if you guys could make some cool stuff out of it.
Here’s some veneer on my farm. Not all are veneer but some are…

 
One thing I have heard of people doing is digging out around the tree because often there is valuable wood under ground in what would otherwise be the stump. With the size of that tree and if you were to cut it down, you may as well try to get something extra in the ground.
 
IowaBowHunter1983 said:
Highest and best use for that tree is tabletop market. Big money if you can tap into it
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Aaaahhhh yes, good idea. FWIW, I see roughly 2" thick slabs of about that length for sale at times for several hundred dollars on up to a couple thousand dollars apiece. That log would probably yield 8 to 10+ such slabs. You would need an extra wide sawmill though. :) But that is a great suggestion.
 
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22’ oak log. It’s a yard tree so will probably loose teeth on the saw chain. It needs rotated before cutting. 36" tall, 39" across the end.


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Any good options for a portable mill that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for novice wood working? My son and I have been wanting one for a while.
 
203ntyp said:
Any good options for a portable mill that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for novice wood working? My son and I have been wanting one for a while.
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From the research I've been doing, most true sawmills that the average person would be able to afford limit the width of cut. That is why I went down the chainsaw rabbit hole.....
 
Not a veneer tree for sure. Also not one that can be improved much by digging. Big lumber tree but short main log will be some wood in the limbs also but they are lower quality. Have to try to cut it as low as possible due to 6'6" being the absolute min length most mills will take. Table tops would be the best market if you can get some one to mill them
 
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