Spalted Maple freebie

johnnyllama · March 18, 2016, 08:11:09 AM

I noticed a downed maple tree a few weeks ago just over my back property line that I remember coming down in a storm 2 or 3 years ago. I had kind of forgotten about it, but earlier this week I decided to contact the out of state property owner and see if he would be willing to let me try and salvage it for a trade of half the lumber. He got back to me and said to go ahead and grab it and if it was any good just use it all, he'd never use it himself. He knows we build cabinetry and furniture and figured we watch over his property as he's down in N. Carolina most of the time. My son and I brought out the first log yesterday and it was real purty when we opened it up. 2' diam. x 9' long, and there's 3 more about the same, still about 20" diam. before it forked around 40' up. Still pretty solid except near outer edges in spots. Can't beat the price or location!

YellowHammer · March 18, 2016, 08:30:02 AM

That's a winner! Sometimes all you have to do is recognize the opportunity and take it. Good eye. 8)

Ohio_Bill · March 18, 2016, 08:43:10 AM

Very nice and free . Can't beat that.

ScottInCabot · March 18, 2016, 08:49:34 AM

Nice thin line spalting, looks like you caught it at the right time! Definite winner off flatwork like you're doing.

I don't get much Maple down this way, and I really miss it.

Scott in Cabot

dboyt · March 18, 2016, 10:40:58 AM

Aren't you glad you waited a couple of years? Very nice.

WV Sawmiller · March 18, 2016, 10:53:03 AM

Pretty wood. Congrats on the find.

I cut a large dead maple some months ago and cut it up. Had lots of spalting similar to what you show but I had too much punk in mine. Still have 2 mantels and a couple of 2X12's left. Made a wood worker a deal and he bought all my 4/4. He will be able to work around the punk to make short boards for cutting boards and chess boards and such.

I don't know how long it takes to go from yours with good solid spalting and mine with too much punk. And my tree never laid on the ground. I cut it down and milled it the next day.