Wood IDs #9: Sealing up the mystery tree (probably California Bay Laurel)

You folks helped me to ID this as probably a California Bay Laurel, blown down a pretty strong wind storm a week ago. I’m still going to research it, but for now, it needed to be sealed up against the checking that had already begun. I wanted some good pics of the cross sections before they get their coat of sealer. I have 2 gallons of Anchorseal in shipment now from the source, and I’m wondering if I should have gotten the 5gal bucket. Meanwhile, last week I picked up 2 quarts of Rockler’s Green Wood End Sealer, the last of the stuff from my local store, and went on a sealing mission. The insides of every tree and branch I’ve found here in LA so far has been a small adventure. There’s so much to see inside these things.

The main stump was already checking:

Sealing it with the wax really brought out what appears to some rot, or spalting. Thoughts?

This piece shows more of this apparent rot/spalt:

The outside of the previous log has some interesting knotty/burlish stuff happening:

This mark would appear to be some spalting happening around a preexisting fissure inside this branch:

This stuff may come out a bit like cherry when all is said and done. Note the sap – the stickiest I’ve yet felt. It feels wet and gooey, then dries out as you rub your fingers together and becomes a very tacky glue. I’ve been thinking I should harvest it, mix it with a little thinner, and do some tests of varnishing with it. Thoughts on this? Anyone tried similar with tree sap?

I’m a bit intrigued by the swirling grain here, and can’t wait to see how it looks flatsawn, quartersawn, and turned:

Anyone know what these yellow marks are inside some of the logs?

Here’s the part that was wrenched from the ground as the tree fell:

So much to seal!

I didn’t get to seal all of it yet. Most of the tiny branches are on hold. I’m too busy with about 5 big projects, and I’ve since found several more trees and branches locally, which I’ll post about soon. Neat stuff. On today’s agenda is finishing up the 3rd section of my wood drying/storing racks. I’ll post about those with pics and a Sketchup model soon, too! Anyone know how to make about 3 more of me, or extend a day by about 3x?

There are a few more pics in the flickr set.

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator