Red gum

[PerpetuallyNewCarver]

Ok so I have been visiting family and running all over the place and stopping at lumber stores when I get the chance. Recently I found a couple pieces of red gum. I could not resist getting it, the color and grain were absolutely amazing. I was wondering if anyone has used it for carving and what kind of work it required. It feels like a fairly soft wood, easy to cut, however I have just cut slivers because I am not ready to carve it yet. To be really honest though, I almost hate to cut into grain that pretty with power tools, chisels, gouges, or a knife.

[Scott Hagerty]

It will ruin your tools, send it to me! Seriously though, I've never even seen red gum, I'm thinking it would make some great knife scales though.

[Ky_Whittler]

Since I am blessed with an abundance of these almost worthless trees, I am wondering about it myself. If you think that is pretty , you should see it with a touch of spalt in it.

I read an article a while back about a fellow using sections of trunk for his wood spirits. Can't for the life of me find it again. Anybody know which issue it was in? Whittler

[Claude]

I think you may be using a local name for the wood. I suspect it is more commonly known as liquidamber (Liquidambar styraciflua Fact Sheet), although this reference lists "American red gum" as one of the names for it. The fourth photo down looks somewhat like your photo. The Wood Explorer Database.
Appears to have many uses...

Claude

[idigjars]

Never heard of it before but it is pretty looking wood. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Paul

[Robert Cahill]

If it is hard to carve it looks like it would be great for intarsia

[Ky_Whittler]

Sweet gum and red gum are the common names in my area. I am sure many have seen the trees with the star shaped leaves and spiked seed balls. I would have to say that this one species comprises at least 50 % of the trees on my place, a lot of trees. Size ranges from 1 inch to about 16 inches in diameter. There are some that have at least 40 feet to the first limb. They have a fairly straight growth habit. Small limbs come from the main stem to form the canopy.

At present time, as far as I know, they are used only for crossties unless very large. So they are virtually worthless to the landowner.

I have used this wood in turnings. It worked very well and finished very nicely. But turning and carving are two diferent disciplines. Whittler

[Donald K. Mertz]

Red Gum carves very well with knives and gouges, being a soft wood that will hold some detail. I carved a Native American six inches tall over ten years ago and finished it with Deft to keep its natural color - a burnt sienna color. The best thing to do with a "new to you wood" is simply to cut off a chunk of it and carve something out of it. The only way you will know is to try it yourself-experience is often the best teacher sometimes teaching us that a particular wood does not make good carving wood. Stay Sharp and Never Dull, Don

[BrandantR]

I don't know how it carves, but it sure is beautiful to look at.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Make a table out of it!
My neighbor just cut one down not to long ago. Dang! I'll have to see what he did with the wood.