Giant Bradford Pear

[OutlawB52]

I just picked up a large Bradford Pear trunk . 6 ' long 18 " at the small end. Probably 30 " at the base . How do wood turners like this cut up ?  

[btulloh]

Bowl blanks, billets, cubes

[LeeB]

If it's the same coloring as regular pear, the intarsia crowd will like it too. Somewhat flesh colored. 

[OutlawB52]

What size should the blanks/billets be milled ? Bigger the better ? 

[btulloh]

The bowl blanks are dictated by the diameter of the tree.  That means you can get some pretty good size ones.  2x2x 12 or 18 billets, maybe some 24".  You may try to get some large billets for hollow vessels - 5x5x16 maybe.  Depends on what the tree has to offer.  If you do business with turners on a regular basis, check with them.  Depends on how many bowl people, vessel people, etc.  

They must be dried meticulously.  Square the ends of the billets and coat immediately.  Thick.  Sometimes it's best to have extra length so small checks can be trimmed off.  No checks allowed.  Inclusions and natural defects can be a bonus.

Don't leave any pith in the bowl blanks.  Bowl turners usually want their material green, so they can rough out first and then dry - to avoid drying defects.

[OutlawB52]

The base of the stump looks to be spalted.

[btulloh]

That could be a bonus.  

If you can find some turning clubs in your area and talk to them it could be useful.  

Whatever you have, somebody's going to want the thing you don't have.

[WDH]

Many bowl turner inquiries that I get are from those that want you to give them the wood .  They like to rummage in the slab pile but are not keen on pulling out their wallet.

[GAB]

Many bowl turner inquiries that I get are from those that want you to give them the wood .  They like to rummage in the slab pile but are not keen on pulling out their wallet.

From my experience that statement is the ABSOLUTE truth.
Gerald