Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Nov 29, 2002 05:54pm | #1

   BC, not only does Florida have more than its share of great native species, its tropical climate allows for the growing of cultivars from all over the world...some of which produce outstanding timbers.

   I don't know of a single, totally comprehensive reference on this topic, but for a thorough summary of at least the native species, a good place to start might be: The Compete TREES OF NORTH AMERICA, by Thomas S. Elias. It's a very good manual for field identification and it also offers a brief comment on the characteristics of the wood of most of the species it surveys. It may be out of print now, but if you can track down a copy, it's a great reference to have.

2. 
   Jimma | Nov 29, 2002 06:06pm | #2

   I live in Maitland, FL and have used quite a few kinds of native wood ror a variety of projects, but you have to ask yourself if it's worth the trouble to process it for woodworking. Maybe the easiest is to use local species for green turning such as oak, pecan, camphor, loquat, cherry, hackberry, etc., etc. (Almost anything that has enough diameter.) For lumber, the list is somewhat shorter, but the best candidates are cherry, oak, cypress, pine, hickory, and pecan. But, before you start hauling around a bunch of green (fresh) logs, you'd better find a sawyer and consider where and how you're going to dry it. And that's a whole other issue... Jim

3. 
   Dale | Nov 29, 2002 06:14pm | #3

   Jon suggestion is good.  I would also suggest to contact the FL State forestry folks.  I'm willing to bet they have a book of trees that are native to FL.  I'm a State forester for OK and I recommend our State forestry book hands down, as we have maybe a dozen different kinds of oaks.  The US has well over a dozen different kind of oaks.  So..... ID an oak is somewhat easier of looking and reading about 12 or so oaks as 100? oaks.  Our book also gives somewhat of what the wood has been used for.

   Good luck,

   Dale

1. 
   besea | Nov 29, 2002 07:18pm | #4

   WOW ! Wonderful responses from all, thank you.  I planned on researching some books and the internet and the forestry service is a great idea thank you.  As far as the milling and drying is concerned I'm not even close to that stage yet, but it is in my mind ( you might see a future post on that subject if I'm as fortunate as I want to be).

   Thanks to all you have energized me and I am off on my search....and  re-search ...and re-trieve... and re-saw  and .....well you get the idea.

   Bill

1. 
   bobhallsr | Nov 30, 2002 06:19am | #5

   A few years back there was an article (in FWW, I think) about harvesting trees that were downed by hurricane Andrew. These trees were were Cuban Mahogany that had been planted as an ornamental along the streets. I don't recall seeing this stuff in central Florida, but if you can find it, it should be well worth the trouble of getting logs to sawyer and then getting it properly dried.

   BJGardening, cooking and woodworking in Southern Maryland

4. 
   forestgirl | Nov 30, 2002 07:42am | #6

   In Seattle, and probably lots of other American cities, there is a man who specializes in salvaging the trees taken down, blown down, or broken within the city, and mills them and converts them to usable lumber.  This particular guy has his own cabinetry business, but is also starting a business just to sell the lumber he salvages from what would otherwise go to waste.

   You might be able to find someone like that in FL, or start your own buz!  I'd love to be in a place where I could line up a zillion BF of cypress.  A great wood for outdoor projects!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)