The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: woodhick on August 22, 2005, 12:00:18 AM

Title: Spiral grain
Post by: woodhick on August 22, 2005, 12:00:18 AM
I noticed a 20+" white oak on my place just died :'(.   When I looked at it the bark spirals pretty hard around the tree.  I know there was some talk about this on here before but I can't remember the details, "part timers".   The spiral on this tree goes from right to left looking up tree from the ground.  I would like to try to quartersaw it.  Will it be any count or warp and twist like all get out.  :o :o :o   Thanks for any replies.
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: Furby on August 22, 2005, 12:05:28 AM
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=8882.0
The wonders of our search function. ;)
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 22, 2005, 05:24:42 AM

We sawed a "spiral" log. Not sure if it was Cypress or Red Gum. The grain is not all that pronounced, and the boards are "Wimpy". You pick up a board in the middle, and both ends weep toward the ground. We Q'sawed and Flatsawed. Looks the same both ways ???
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: DanG on August 23, 2005, 12:49:04 AM
Well, Woodhick, I can only think of one thing to do in this situation.  Open it up and see what's inside.  The tree's a goner anyway, and yer bound to get something out of it.  If it don't work out, the woodstove won't care if it's crooked or not. ;D
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: woodhick on August 23, 2005, 02:42:31 AM
DanG,  I like your thinking ;D.  That's what  I am going to do just thought I ask the question.  If worse comes to worse I'll  make a whole bunch of toothpicks. :o
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: woodbeard on August 23, 2005, 07:25:42 AM
White oak toothpicks?

I'll take a case of 'em! :D
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: ARKANSAWYER on August 25, 2005, 04:11:49 PM
  You can saw it either way but if it is a right twist it should saw out fine.  Left twist and you may find more rot and defects inside.  If you find a left hand twist tree around here most of the time it is hollow or a very crooked tree.  We just saw them into to fire wood.  Most trees tend to twist to the right if even slightly.
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 25, 2005, 04:14:30 PM

Yup, ours was a righty twist. Sound as a dollar, just wimpy.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spiral grain
Post by: metalspinner on August 25, 2005, 04:47:59 PM
what is the rule?....Trees above the equator twist to the right... trees below the equator twist to the left... no wait I think that is for the water in the.... :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D