Replies

1. 
   lwilliams | Mar 10, 2008 12:30am | #1

   aspen

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 10, 2008 03:16am | #3

   Larry,

   Thanks.  I should have remembered your Colorado history.

   Aspen is a good idea.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   philip_r | Mar 10, 2008 12:42am | #2

   I live in Denver, Co.  Pine, Elm or Aspen are-a-plenty.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 10, 2008 03:19am | #4

   tbagn,

   And, my thanks to you.  I had thought of pine.  Didn't realize elm was there.  Had forgotten about aspen.  Aspen seems very appropriate for Colorado.

   Does pinon pine grow in Colorado? 

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   maderamax | Mar 10, 2008 05:32am | #5

   Yes, we have pinon pine a-plenty in CO, also juniper (which can be very beautiful when milled), but if you want something very unique and representative of CO, try looking for bristlecone pine, which can have lots of character. It's probably hard to find...if so, I think aspen would be a great choice for a box; especially if you can find some with spalting.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 10, 2008 06:11am | #7

   Maderamax,

   Any sources where I might order just a few boards?

   Alan -- planesaw

3. 
   fishnskiguy | Mar 10, 2008 05:35am | #6

   At this point in time Colorado is going through the worst pine bark beetle infestation in recorded history. Some foresters are saying Colorado will lose 99% of its lodge pole pine in the next five years, with other pine species suffering somewhat less. Here in the Vail valley, we joke about the "Colorado red pine".

   All species of beetle killed pine exhibit significant and interesting light blue streaks. It can be quite unusual. I am just starting to build a blue streak pine fly tying table and it just screams, "Colorado 21st century." 

   Google "blue streak pine" or "denim pine", as it is called in western Canada for tons of info.

   Chris

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 10, 2008 06:12am | #8

   fishnskiguy,

   I like your handle.  I used to do a lot of both.

   Any ideas on lumber sources.  Only need a few boards.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   fishnskiguy | Mar 10, 2008 06:33am | #9

   Come to my place and I'll  give you a few boards for free. Seriously, this stuff is cheap as nobody has discovered it yet as a bonafide furniture wood. I get mine free at a sawmill as long as I take the eight foot or shorter cutoffs from the big beams used in the huge mega mansions in these parts. 

   Except for architectural accents on log and stone homes, it is mostly used for shoring and cribbing in coal mines around here and in industrial pallets.

   When it gets "discovered," standby.

    

   Chris 

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 11, 2008 03:34am | #10

   All -- so far,

   Thanks for your ideas.  I am still open to box design suggestions that might somehow be representative of Colorado.  I realize that is wide open, but any thoughts would be appreciated.   1800s maybe.  For example, for my Pennsylvania compatriot, I made a Pennsylvania candle box.

   Appreciate it.

   Alan - planesaw