Sinker log

[T A Derrickson]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to mill a large sinker log.  It was pulled from the Mississippi river in NW Tennessee. Milling it was miserable - soaking wet and full of grit.  Had to sharpen blades multiple times. Finally had the chance to run a board through the planer - wow it sure is pretty.  Problem is.... I have no idea what species it is!  Thoughts?  Ideas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DocGP]

Looks like cypress to me, but I could sure be wrong.

Doc

[Walnut Beast]

Interesting. Glad you posted on this 👍

[CCCLLC]

That is beautiful. My vote is cypress as well.

[nativewolf]

In the trade that would be called red gum, or swamp tupelo.  Not cypress.  At least I'm willing to make a bet.

[WDH]

I am with the Wolf.  Sweetgum.

[moodnacreek]

Me to.

[nativewolf]

I should also mention that red gum is highly prized as a sinker log product.  I've seen some slabs in the Big Easy that were going for more than premium walnut.  Sought after for veneers too, I think Rolls or Bentleys use it?  Some fancy dancy cars.  

[Southside]

So THATS the secret to getting it to behave!!! Chain it down to the bottom of a river for 50 years.  :D

[mike_belben]

I was gonna say black gum based on the way the grain spirals but ive only split it and never sawed. Never touched sweet gum. 

[ellmoe]

No

I am with the Wolf.  Sweetgum.

No doubt. A beautiful example!

[Magicman]

 

 
Here is it's Sister.  Her name is also Sweetgum.  ;D

[bluthum]

Wow! Looks more like Liquidamber stryraciflua [sweet gum]  than Nyssa sp. to me from the pics but after so long under water all bets are off. Anyway that is a rare if  perhaps not so valuable piece of wood.

Hopefully some one will end up with it who wants to tinker. The fact it is pretty is established, stability remains to know....