Huon Pine has an interesting history in Australia. At one time it was used to make the crates for apples to be transported. A native timber of Tasmania (the island bit on the bottom of Australia) it is now highly sought after as a cabinet making timber. Despite this, looking through images on the net I have seen wooden sailing boats made from this timber, recently.
My understanding of the current situation is that no trees are allowed to be felled, except in exceptional circumstances. This means new timber comes from secondary harvesting. A story I have heard (not sure of truth) is that secondary harvesting includes recovery of stumps from the bottom of lakes formed when dams were filled. Secondary Harvesting also includes removing limbs that are in danger of falling and cleaning up previously felled timber on the forest floor.
Here is some information about Huon Pine.
http://www.forestrytas.com.au/shops/ist/pages/special-species-timbers/huon-pine
Anyway I have scored two good sized pieces. My mum went on a holiday with her partner to Tasmania. While there, they did a bus tour and there was another woodie on the bus. Being my mum, she regaled this poor fellow with her son’s various woody achievements. As soon as they got to Strahan, this fellow grabbed mum, dragged her into the local mill and convinced her to buy these pieces. She wont tell me how much she paid. Pricing for the timber can be as much as $4000 / cube.
Now I just have to agonise over what to make from it.
-- Living is a constant gamble, life is about working the odds in your favour
4 comments so far
Sodabowski
home | projects | blog
1809 posts in 1002 days
#1 posted 747 days ago
Obviously, at least a nice box for mum.
-- Thomas - There is no such thing as a problem, there only are solutions.
degoose
home | projects | blog
6590 posts in 1524 days
#2 posted 746 days ago
Nice pick up from your mum… nice lady to buy you such nice timber…
If you need any extra, I have about 300 board feet roughly 3/4 cubic metre… and it goes for as much as AU$8000.00 a cube…That would not be your price btw.
-- Drink twice... and don't bother to cut... @ larrysworkshop.wordpress.com For lovers of all things timber...
DLCW
home | projects | blog
505 posts in 823 days
#3 posted 744 days ago
With the value of this wood, I would suggest wrapping it in plastic wrap until you are ready to use it. Leave the ends exposed.
This way, it will stay at consistent MC while you are figuring out what you are going to use it for. I’ve had great luck doing this with wood and keeping it nice and straight until ready for use.
-- Don, Diamond Lake Custom Woodworks - http://www.dlwoodworks.com - "If you make something idiot proof, all they do is make a better idiot"
Woodfix
home | projects | blog
290 posts in 1469 days
#4 posted 585 days ago
I have worked out what I am going to do with it now. I am going to make a Grandmother Clock. It was bought by my son’s grandmother afterall.
-- Living is a constant gamble, life is about working the odds in your favour
Have your say...