choke cherry burl wood

[stickman]

This past winter a big part of an old (I thought dead)cherry tree had cracked and was suspended by a group of other trees.It was in a back portion of my yard for weeks and my wife finally goaded me enough to go out and try to knock it down. Well task accomplished and as I was looking at it on the ground I realized that it is not hollow like I thought and it looked like a burl.


the section of the tree that appears to be a burl is about 6 feet long and 18 -20 inches in dia. the bark is all funky looking but when you look at the cross section, none of the wood appears to be rotten .

I wonder if it worth anything or if its just something I should try to use like carving it or making something else wood turning etc.

or would it be worth my while to cut it up into blanks and wax it up real good and sell it.

I was in rockler wood store the other day and they had a wood burl about the same size (can't remember the type of wood something exotic) and they wanted 1500$ for it . is it possible that its worth something .


any comments welcome .

[Clifford_Parker]

Step #1. Cut the ends straight, wax them, and let it sit for a couple years.
Step #2. Resaw to blocks, rewax and let sit for a couple more years.
Step #3. Carve, turn, or sell the blocks.

Cherry is a beautiful wood and while a burl might have some very tricky grain for carving I bet it would make beautiful bowls, spoons, etc..

[stickman]

Clifford, thanks Do you think I could resaw to blocks and wax right now or is it really important to do step # 1? that part of the tree looked like it was barely alive for the 14 years I lived here ( I have been wanting to cut it down for years) but when I look at it it looks in between green and dried! if that makes sense.

[Clifford_Parker]

Depending on how you cut it and how dry it actually is it you could get away with starting at step #2. You say it "looked barely alive". Did it sprout shoots or leaves last year? If it did then at least part of the sapwood was still alive and could have more moisture than you think.

[North Wind]

I have carved it and it is very hard wood or at least the choke cherry here in Montana is and it splits almost as soon as the bark comes off.I have never done anything with bigger pieces so I don`t know what it will do. People that turn wood love to use them. I guess if it was dried out it may not split as bad but be sure to seal the ends. It is hard when green so I am sure it will more so when dry. Thats all I can say about it.I hope this helps. Vince

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Lots of ideas here, another is...if its really outstanding wood, you can cut into 5 inch pieces 3/4 x 3/4 and get a dollar ea on ebay from pen turners.

[stickman]

thanks to all that replied.