Hello fellow LJ’s
I have a woods by my house that I can go into any time I want, it’s my brothers. There are a few downed trees and some large branches from a couple of huge trees that came down last year in a big storm. I know the tree trunks can be turned into lumber but I have heard that the large branches can’t be milled. I’ve been told it’s because they will twist once they are cut. Is this true? Can I mill then in 8’ or smaller lengths without a problem? Any information on this would be helpfull.
3 comments so far
Todd A. Clippinger
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8656 posts in 2296 days
#1 posted 799 days ago
Branches are always fighting gravity and they will have a lot of stress in them. I would not trust them to any form of stick lumber.
You will have to ask a turner for anything that may be able to be made on a lathe. A turner I am not.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Moby
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64 posts in 956 days
#2 posted 799 days ago
I’ve turned a couple of piece from branches and they came out fine. Just treat them like green wood and make sure that you give them time to dry.
John Gray
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2364 posts in 2082 days
#3 posted 799 days ago
I too have used some branches without problems. But I sealed the ends when they were cut and let them dry in my climate controled workshop at 1 year for each inch of thickness. I do wish I would have removed the bark when they were cut….doing it later sure made a mess at the lathe.
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
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