Butternut Wood!

[AlaskaCarver]

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone knows where I can find some butternut wood to do a relief carving in. I purchased my 1st relief boards (Basswood) from Wilcox, since Rod is out of town, I just ordered my next batch of basswood from Heinecke-thanks to a suggestion from someone here on WCI, but I would really like to try a relief in butternut, it looks so rich when finished. I appreciate any suggestions. I would like to find something that is 1 to 2 inches thick by 8-10 inches wide by 12 to 16 inches long.
Thank you,
David

[pallin]

Good luck. I bought my last grab bag of butternut from Woodcraft a few years ago. None of the pieces were of the dimensions you are looking for. They no longer offer it in their catalog. I understand the trees are being decimated by some type of insect.

[brent]

Check with Steve Wall at walllumber.com. Not affiliated but as a customer for 30 yrs.

[pallin]

I did a Bing search on Butternut wood, which turns up a long list of exotic (& other) wood sources. But as you peruse the sites to see what butternut they actually have for sale, it's really discouraging - a few thin boards with worm holes and knots.

Here is a site that seems to have a wide choice and also an explanation for the shortage:
http://www.irionlumber.com/index.php...ucts-butternut

[TreeWizard]

I've actually picked up some decent pieces on E Bay.

[SlowMover]

I got some great pieces for minimal cost at CarveFest in Fairbault Minnessota last summer...Don't remember the name of the vendor, but there were just a few there and I bet you can find their names with a google search of CarveFest.

[Caril Chasens]

Butternut wood is a wonderful carving wood. Unfortunately the trees are endangered. It is unethical and, in Canada at least, illegal to cut the healthy trees for lumber. If a tree must be cut, it would be very unfortunate to waste the wood.

A Landowners Resource Guide To Butternut

Do any of you have experience in carving canker-damaged butternut?

[rickm]

hardwood connection in sycamore il has lots of it, but I dont think you can shop online. thye have a website but you have to call.

[AlaskaCarver]

I want to thank you all for your replies, you have given me some great places to check out. I will be calling them this week for some quotes on their butternut and walnut- which looks like another rich wood to try a relief in. (Caril), that was a fascinating article on the decimation of the butternut tree. I am so excited about my new found passion for carving-it's all I can think about and can not wait to get more wood so that I can dive into another relief carving. Since the first time I ever saw a relief carving from a boss I had at a machine shop in high school, I have wanted to try it, now I am in a spot in my life where the kids have grown and gone off to college, where I can do it. Thanks again everyone, I only wish I could return the favor.
David

[DiamondWillow]

Someone mentioned Carv-Fest at Faribault, MN Usually John Krantz is at that show and has a good supply and I know he usually has some Butternut there. He is a former forester and knows all about wood and when to harvest it etc. John is at Forest Lake, MN and his phone number is (651) 464-5632 Very good fellow and will not do you wrong on some wood.
Good luck

Gene