Replies

1. 
   JMadson | Jul 23, 2007 03:50am | #1

   I've heard willow is good for turning bowls.

    

2. 
   jdgese | Jul 23, 2007 04:07am | #2

   Hi FG,
   Willow can be made into some nice lumber. If I were in your area I
   would consider sawing it on My Woodmizer for shares or by the board foot. Surely there is a portable sawmill owner in your area.
   J. Gese, Spokane

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 23, 2007 06:56pm | #4

   We had alot of trouble finding someone to cut up our cedar tree 3 years ago -- all but one of the portable guys were gone, and he didn't show up for his appointment.  I've seen, just recently, two new ads though, so I'll give them a call.  Somehow, I had it in my head that will didn't make good regular lumber, not sure where I picked that up.

   We're looking at property up north of Spokane, who knows, maybe we'll be doin' business down the road.  Hubby just bought 22 acres for a getaway with his son, looking at some more for a couple years down the road.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   citrouille | Jul 23, 2007 08:05pm | #5

   Forestgirl,Willow is used in Europe as an inexpensive alternative to walnut (European),
   I have seen some decent looking furniture made out of willow, i never did work with it though.
   I would definitely try to have it sawn up.C.

2. 
   kenshep | Jul 23, 2007 08:52pm | #7

   Hi Forestgirl,

     I was looking at Woodmizer literature a while back and recall reading that they will refer local mill owners to people who need a tree cut into lumber.  I can't find that blurb on the web page, but I did see the closest dealer to you is in Portland.  Here's the contact data for them:

   Ken Barton is the Regional Manager

   24435 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Wood Village, OR 97060 Tel: 503.661.1939 Fax: 503.667.2961 Email: [email protected]

   I've also noticed testimonials in the literature from people who have purchased the mills and milled there own logs/lumber for cabins and houses.  They save themselved a lot of money doing so.  If the getaway property is a good cabin site that might be something to think about.

   Regards,

   Ken 

3. 
   Diz | Jul 23, 2007 05:19am | #3

   Several uses listed in my old wood technology text are:  artificial limbs, caskets, and charcoal for black powder.

4. 
   Scrit | Jul 23, 2007 08:48pm | #6

   Now might be a good time for you Colonials to take up that most gentlemanly of sports (except when played by the Aussies), cricket. The bats are made form willow. ;-)

   Scrit

5. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jul 23, 2007 10:59pm | #8

   I have no experience with the stuff myself.

   But I remember a restoration-carving specialist who once told me that willow is great for carvings that will be mounted on the exterior of a house -- things like carved corbels, column capitals, and the like.

    

    

    

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

6. 
   RDNZL | Jul 24, 2007 05:00am | #9

   Forestgirl:

   Years back now, (another lifetime, actually) I worked in the whitewater industry in West Virginia. I actually spent 1 summer in your neck of the woods, working for an outfitter based out of Bothell, rafting on the Skykomish, Wenatchee, Saulk, and Klickitat rivers, but that bit of trivia is merely an aside....

   Anyways - back in West-By-God Virginia, there was, (and still are) several custom wooden paddle makers, who highly prize willow, at least of some sort and quality. I have heard them speak reverently of that "one tree in a thousand"...

   So: if there are any paddle makers in your area, you may want to contact them. You never know - your tree might just be "that one", and worth a pretty penny.

   Good luck!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 24, 2007 06:05am | #10

   Thanks for the tip on paddle-makers.  Have gotten really different reactions from the 2 Native Americans I've contacted about the tree.  A friend of my step-daughter, who makes all kinds of things, tans leather, carries on a few traditions, was quite excited about it, especially the droopy tendrils (do you call those branches?).  The man I talked to from the Suquamish tribe up the road said willow was useless.  Too funny.

   There's a wooden boat group in Port Townsend, I'll contact them.  Thanks again!

   Facilities manager for Islandwood environmental teaching center is coming over tomorrow to take a look.  Still haven't found the "natural furniture" makers in the area though.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   woodman2263 | Jul 24, 2007 05:37pm | #11

   FG,

   I would be willing to cut your willow for free on my Woodmizer..............but you have to bring it to Indiana. : )

   Jeff

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 25, 2007 04:28am | #13

   Such a pal!  Looks like Islandwood -- an innovate envrionmental learning center here on Bainbridge -- is going to take most if not all of the trunk, and some of the larger branches.  They're building a new lodge I think.  David Kotz of Coyote Woodshop may be sharing in the bounty.  He does alot of work on the island with big trees that go down or are cut, and is interested in both the big trunk and the large gnarly areas, not really burls but probably have some great figure.

   He said he got several calls yesterday, so the storm that went through here while we were gone did some damage for sure.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   kenshep | Jul 24, 2007 11:36pm | #12

   The droopy tendrils are called switches and they are excellent for tanning hides....well the backsides of disobedient young men...not me of course...yeah it was a friend of mine...he told me about it, yeah that's it, that's the ticket...

   ;-)

   Ken