Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 20, 2004 08:44pm | #1

   Applewood has come up once or twice in the last 3 months -- do a quick search, you should be able to find the threads.  Most people these days seem to use it for turning, but it makes beautiful furniture.  Not super-easy to dry, though, if I remember correctly.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Jan 20, 2004 08:45pm | #2

   I know Disston used to make their higher dollar saw handles out of apple.  Nice looking stuff.

   Steve
3. 
   Dazz | Jan 20, 2004 09:35pm | #3

   I've used some apple for turnings, particularly the darker heartwood. It's dense, polishes up nicely, and is a fun wood to turn. But I have had difficulty drying it without serious checks in large pieces. You have to seal the end grain very quickly after cutting the tree, or checks are likely to start within an hour or so. It's usually hard to find pieces of any size, but for small projects, give it a try!

4. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 21, 2004 11:09pm | #4

   it's relatively hard,  tends to have a lot of internal stresses that will express as twists and cracks - color is variable between varieties,  but tends toward reddish brown - a lot like cherry,  but more brown - - I've made panels for doors and walls,  and I have a clock shelf made from 'Grimes Golden' that was infected with 'stem pitting' virus,  a common malaidy of apple - makes for a kind of 'birds eye' grain -

   If I can get the camera,  I'll post a couple of pictures -

   DOUD - professional apple grower

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 22, 2004 09:01pm | #5

   here's some picts for your perusal - this is a panel in a wall system - var. 'Stayman Winesap' - 13" X 28" app.

   
2. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 22, 2004 09:14pm | #6

   here's a couple of picts of apple with the stem pitting virus - first has an apple board setting on top of cherry for reference - if you look closely,  you can see a graft union - - grain change,  the lower part of the board is 'Virginia crab' in this case,  grown as the trunk structure of the tree (it has good form and hardiness) then the variety (in this case,  'Grimes Golden') grafted on - - the crab is quite sensitive to the virus, which is visible in the wild grain,  the variety,  less sensitive, the grain is smooth and straight -

   second shot is a poor shot of the stem,  with bark removed,  showing the pitting,  quite striking,  wish I could get a good shot -

   
1. 
   aguita | Jan 22, 2004 09:54pm | #7

   Thanks David,

   It looked like I had imagined or maybe even a little better.  My educational background is in horticulture/arboriculture.  It appears that you have quite a knowledge of botany.  Is that an occupational hazard, or just a hobby?

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 23, 2004 12:40am | #8

   ....knowledge of botany.  Is that an occupational hazard, or just a hobby?

   What I know of botany is incidental to a degree in Pomology,  and a lifetime on the farm - I used to know nearly all,  but am no longer that young - - I'm pretty good with/about apples...

   ...horticulture/arboriculture....

   have you been able to find a niche for yourself in your field of study? - - no mean trick,  these days....

   whadda you gonna make out of apple?

1. 
   aguita | Jan 23, 2004 04:49pm | #12

   After graduation I started my own business doing landscaping, tree trimming, etc.  It worked for a couple of years, but I found that I didn't enjoy it very much when I had to make it a job.  I then went to work for a tree service trimming power lines and after about a year realized that I didn't enjoy getting lit up by electricity every once i a while either.  Besides that, it isn't a job you want to be doing when you are 50 or 60.

   So I moved on and got a job with a local engineering firm and I now do railroad construction design/inspections.  It also gives me easy access to some great quality Azobe RR ties.

   As for the apple, I have no real plans yet, but I do have a few that I have scheduled to either trim or remove this winter and figured why not utilize the wood.

5. 
   JerBear | Jan 23, 2004 05:06am | #9

   I read that apple is used in making golf clubs.  I don't play golf, but I sure love a crisp cold Northern Spy.

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jan 23, 2004 08:03am | #10

   here ya go - got a few left...they are definately cold - -

   
1. 
   JerBear | Jan 23, 2004 02:41pm | #11

   Thanks.....you da man.