looking for basswood forests

buckbeans · #1 10-20-2006, 10:39 AM

I just tried some basswood cut last year from minnesota and shipped to me here in arizona.
It is great!!! I finally found out what everybody has been raving about all these years.
I was wondering if anybody has a recommendation on any land in Minnesota or Wisconsin that have these trees?
I thought it would be nice to be able to get some property and go out and harvest a piece
at my leisure.

Skulli · #2 10-22-2006, 10:12 PM

I apologize for answering your question with a question while offering no help at all!

But....could you tell me, 'cause I've not ever had any basswood as a newbie, what IS the all the "rave" about? Maybe I'll shop for some too!

Thanks!

mikeg · #3 10-23-2006, 08:54 AM

I'm not an expert but basswood, especially northern basswood, has a fine grain and is one of the 'softer' hardwoods. It's easy to carve and holds detail quite well. It's better for pieces you're going to paint since the grain isn't very pronounced.

mikeg

AlArchie · #4 10-23-2006, 09:06 AM

A lot of land in both Minnesota and Wisconsin (Upper Michigan, too) is swampy or has a lot of lowland. I've found that basswood seems to grow on the higher ground with well drained soil. Ridge tops or hillsides.

Don't buy timberland sight unseen!Pick an area, contact a local realtor and let them know what you are looking for, then inspect the property yourself!

Al

brian bailey · #5 10-23-2006, 08:28 PM

Basswood grows amongst other hardwoods and does not form pure stands.

My advice would be to consult with the state / county forester before wasting any time with a realtor. Most realtors I've met don't have a clue about the silvicolous of a woodlot.

rick-in-seattle · #6 10-24-2006, 06:26 AM

Brian,
Now that is a $200 dollar word if I ever saw one.

Here are some words that also describe the northern Bass.

basswood
Tilia Americana
Bee Tree
Linden
Lime Tree

Brian being from the country, I just say "trees do grow in the woods."

brian bailey · #7 10-24-2006, 07:30 AM

For me, another word describing basswood is : money.

I know a lot of folks that have lived in the country all their lives and still can't see the trees because of the forest!

I have a 30 acre woodlot of mixed hardwoods. I've only found about five basswood trees growing.

Many woodlot owners consider basswood a weed because it doesn't make good firewood or bring top dollar as a sawlog. So down they come and left in the woods to rot.

Krum · #8 10-24-2006, 08:32 AM

I suggest instead of buying land that may have a few trees on. Contact John Krantz. He's the wood supplier for beautiful basswood boards and blanks stock. His email is jkrantz@usfamily.net That's what I use for my houses. I lucked out this year. A guy called me and wanted to GIVE me 3 basswood logs. He found my name online. WELL SURE! So I now have a beautiful supply all tucked in for the winter. I had him leave me one piece 101 inches. Don't know when I'll get to it but it will end up being a project for my grandson and me to decide on a totem pole design this winter. The guy was excited to have a carver do something with it instead of watching it rot. Lucky for me! Minnesota basswood is like cutting in butter. Just awesome wood to carve.
Krum

RoadKingMN · #9 10-24-2006, 10:09 AM

This is just one guy's opinion. I don't know that buying land to harvest basswood is the best move you can make. The land will cost you somewhere around $1000 an acre in northern Minnesota. You have to cut the trees and remove them from the forest. Then have the logs cut down to the sizes you want or buy a portable sawmill. Then get the wood from the north to Arizona. I live in Minnesota and have a lake home in the northern part of the state and buy all of my basswood. At the prices we can get quality basswood from people like John Krantz or Dale Heinecke I prefer to let them do the work and I'll just carve. If you want to buy some land in the north to escape the Arizona summer that's a different story.

run_in_bare · #10 10-24-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadKingMN

This is just one guy's opinion. I don't know that buying land to harvest basswood is the best move you can make. The land will cost you somewhere around $1000 an acre in northern Minnesota. You have to cut the trees and remove them from the forest. Then have the logs cut down to the sizes you want or buy a portable sawmill. Then get the wood from the north to Arizona. I live in Minnesota and have a lake home in the northern part of the state and buy all of my basswood. At the prices we can get quality basswood from people like John Krantz or Dale Heinecke I prefer to let them do the work and I'll just carve. If you want to buy some land in the north to escape the Arizona summer that's a different story.

Ah, come on Brian , throw a chunk in each saddle bag an take a run down to Arizona, that just be a good run fur tat Road king,lol or is it already gone ta bed for the winter.
ED