Hi Folks, I’ve been in contact with Bill Jewell at Historical woods of America and arranged to purchase 5 BF of Pecan from a tree that had to come down. Neat thing is the tree was one of two, I believe, gracing the front yard at Mt. Vernon.
This particular tree doesn’t date to George Washington’ time but to about the mid 1800s or so.
Anyway…It’s special (and not cheap) so I would like to build something appropriate to the woods history. Any suggestions?
5 BF is not much I know, but I was thinking some sort of box ( I’m in a box rut), or maybe a clay pipe holder but that’s about all I have come up with. Could use your help.
If anyone wants to visit the site see below.
Thanks, Brian
Replies
Very cool, take your time and maybe the right thing may come to you after living with the wood for a while.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke
Good advice. I don't want any regrets later. Thanks.Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
How about a nice box to hold a Bible?? It would be quite in keeping with the history of the wood.
SawdustSteve
That would work. Will keep it mind. Will probably just keep it for a while as suggested earlier and "it" will come to me.
Thanks for your reply,
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Brian,
What form is the 5 bdft in? On the linked page, the picture of the tree gave me the idea of carving it into a tree. A sort of paperwieght, I suppose.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Well its going to be 5/4-6/4 about 8" wide. Dont really know for sure but it is in board form not a chunk. Plus I can't carve to save my life, but cool idea.
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Brian,
How're your pyrography skills? Or your scroll saw abilities?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Have done some scroll saw work but am not very good with it. Just need lots of practice and as far as pyrography, I have never tried it. Something in mind? I'm always willing to try and learn a new something new in WW.
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Brian,
I'm still stuck on the tree idea.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Hi Chris, I'm sorry, would you remind me which one was the tree Idea?
That makes me think of possibly doing a nice frame and finding a photograph of Mt. Vernon circa 1900 or so which should place the tree I got the wood from at about 60 or so years old and doing a nice frame for it. That would still leave me plenty of wood.
What do you think?
Brian.Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Brian,
See 42520.5 for the tree idea I had.
I also like your picture frame idea.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Thats almost morbid, looking at yourself alive and healthy( frames point of view) ;-)Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
You're right..kind of strange. But the tree lives on!!
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
I was thinking which gets me in trouble very often.. I would find a old picture of the tree if any available and put it in whatever you do.. Side by side .. Or something!
I think a tree is sort of forever unless somebody throws out the things made from it.. BUT... not really... I have seen MANY mushrooms from old tree wood that fell to the ground.. Life goes ON!
Thanks, Thinking of a frame and getting a photograph possibly with the tree in it. That would be cool I think.
Thanks, BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Right on!
Brian,
I don't know what Pecan's grain looks like, but I'm planning on framing some pieces of spalted maple. The spalting resembles a landscape.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Maybe a frame with some artwork connected to Mt. Vernon/ G. Washington....Hmmmm.
Thanks!Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Oh yes. It's in 5/4 5' lengths so unless I was to laminate some for a carving in 3D,(which I have very limited experience at) I'm stuck but you just gave me ANOTHER idea!. How about a panel with a scroll sawn pecan tree siloutte in a cabinet door panel (possibly lit from behind) or box lid? Hmmmmm ;)
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Oooooh. I like it.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Don't discard the scraps and cut offs. They would be large enough to make some teeth ;-)
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Well we know your a "Cutup"! Bruce. I am saving every shaving. Thx, BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
A flag case would seem to be appropriate.
Jack
Great idea and I have a flag that might be perfect. Thx. It's on the list.Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
That idea of making a flag case sounds great.
The flag could be folded in the traditional triangle (military fold)
and a tri-angular box could be made to fit.
A raised panel design would look great or maybe glass panel
inserts so the flag box with flag could be displayed upright on a fire place mantle, etc.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to make.
Jim Lynde, North Hollywood, CA
Thanks Jim, That made me think of possible flags from the that era. Or some military unit designations that I could frame. Cool. Thanks!
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Something related to where the tree lived and died.
Maybe a case (display frame) for some historical document. I had a friend that carved Hickory. Yes with power tools. He was a Surgeon and very good with his hands.
Never worked with Pecan but I believe it is closely related to Hickory which I use quite often for projects. Wonderful wood like any if you can put up with it's quirks.
I have no idea why more folks do not use it. Much easier to work than some woods I use. Or at least as workable. I love the finish you can get on it with a 'fair' amount of elbow grease!
Hard question to answer. Is this something for YOU? Five board feet can go along way if other materials are used with it (Copper, glass, Silver). If you are good at the band saw (or know somebody that is) slice it up into veneer for your project. Glue it onto some Hickory!
See this link..
http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/pecanhistory.htm
Good read I thought. I especially like the text...
The term pecans first appeared in print in 1773. George Washington planted pecan trees at Mount Vernon, a gift from Thomas Jefferson who is credited with their initial popularity in the South.
In 1846, a black slave gardener known only as Antoine, developed the Centennial variety of pecan via grafting on Louisiana's Oak Alley plantation. Pecans were not exploited commercially until the middle of the nineteenth century. Europeans had never even seen a pecan until the sixteenth century.
Maybe a wooden PECAN PIE PLATE! I LOVE PECAN PIE!
Or a cooling rack for pies?
Fort Hood Texas had lots of Pecan trees. I was shaking one for the nuts with my M88 Recovery Vehicle. 1960 or so. 16th. Artillery 2 Nd. Armored.
Some Officer (Artillery Major?) saw me doing it AND frowned upon it. I lost a months pay! (A REALLY BIG DEAL TO ME) I found out the hard way it was Texas's State Tree! He said the Military had to pay for any damage to one? I do not know if that is true or not. I would think so.. He WAS serious about it for SURE! I never hurt the tree.. I just wanted some pecans to eat. That tree was WAY bigger than my many ton M88 Tank Retriever. By the way, I could roast them on the mufflers when I stopped and the vehicle cooled down..
All in all.. I am very happy you got something of History. I believe Pecan is classified as a SAFE wood. (No expert on the subject) so it could probably be used for even a Beer Mug!
Whatever you do... HAVE FUN with it!
Sorry I carry on a 'bit' as you see...
Hey thanks for the reply. Lots of great ideas! Am liking the display case idea.
Thx again, BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
You might have enough for both the triangular flag case ( a thirteen-star replica would be cool) and a frame for a nice copy of the Constitution. It might also be nice to have a small piece of brass/bronze engraved regarding the history of the wood.
Thanks Ralph.Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Not many board feet but perhaps just enough, husbanded carefully for a small writing chest? Jefferson style?
BB
OOOOHH! I really want to make one too. I'll need more material but that idea goes very near the the top.
Thanks, BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Septerber 2000 has the Thomas Jefferson Writing Desk. He no longer has any reason to not build one.
Let us se the final project.
Bob
Here are 2 suggestions that might be enough for 5 bf. The first one is a pipe box which my wife uses for a candle holder now. The plan came from FWW a couple years ago. This one is the one I made for my wife and its made of tiger striped white oak. I have made maybe 20 of these and have given them away to friends and family for various reasons, like house warmings and such. The plan is historically accurate I believe. These boxes were originally used to hold clay pipes. The second idea is one I just made up. I call them sconce boxes. I get the mirrors and candle cups from a source called Meisel Hardware. These two are made from walnut and I plan to take them to a flea market to see what I can get for them
( now if I could only figure out how to get rid of the first 2 pictures that are way too large Id be all set!)
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Hey thanks John for your reply! The pipe boxes are near the top of my list and I hadn't thought of any sort of sconce piece. I really appreciate the ideas!
Brian
PS..I may be retiring to your neck of the woods someday. Actually a bit North along the coast of Maine.
Having been brought up in California, the winters are scaring me off a little though.
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
All,
I have a vague memory of a thread by the late Jon Arno about pecan. I think it is a wood that is a cousin to Hickory. It has a propensity to "move" quite a lot. You should figure that into your plans.
Frank
PS I have seen some pretty pieces done in woods that move alot.
Thanks Frank, Will keep an eye on after I get it cut. It's sitting in the shop now acclimating.
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Brian,
I am very intrigued by that site. I don't see anywhere on there where they actually sell lumber though, just finished products...How did you get yours? I have a project I have been plaaning for my grandfather. He likes to collect coins and he just loves the presidential dollar coins that are coming out now. I was going to build him an ornate display case for them. Some of the trees they have listed would make that project even more special.
Thanks!
Shane
Hi Shane, I saw Bill Jewell on New Yankee and just sent him an Email asking if he might sell some. He said yes and we are in the middle of it.
Take care, Brian
Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Edited 8/8/2008 2:18 pm ET by BriMcG
Maybe I'll just have to send them an email too.
Thanks!
Shane
Not cheap. I'm paying $25 a BF plus shipping for the Pecan but as a novelty type thing it will be worth it.
Believe he told me the differant wood runs $25-$50 a BF.
Good luck, BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
oh you would have loved this past year if the winters are scaring you a bit. Hardest winter in 120 years. Northern Maine got over 20 feet of snow. Seemed like it snowed every day. Even here at the coast we gt over 10 feet. Started snowing in December and didnt stop until March. All those global warming proponents were scratching their heads.Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Well maybe that means the bad ones are over with for a while huh? Hope so.
BrianOrdinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.
Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Not if you believe Al Gore...................I planted palm trees just in case. I like Pina coladasWicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Brian,
Ahhhh, aint no big thang. And in summer everything is always green.
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Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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