I have a friend who cuts trees and recently he cut down a Bradford pear tree. The butt log is a bit over 6’ long and 22” in diameter and has a pink salmon color. The end grain almost looks like cherry except for the color. Is this wood good for woodworking? If anyone is interested in the log he wants $125 for the entire log. The log is near Cleveland, Ohio.
Vince






















3 comments so far
GaryK
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8486 posts in 473 days
posted 110 days ago
Pear or any fruit wood is great for woodworking.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Daren Nelson
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332 posts in 390 days
posted 110 days ago
Bradford pear is not a fruit tree it is an ornamental, fruitless tree (sorry Gary, the first time in 280 days I have disagreed with you) It is much softer than most hardwoods. They often blow down/split around here in anything more than a stiff breeze. I had one come crashing down on the back patio at my last house. They are a fast growing tree. To your questions, I think it would make pretty woodworking material, it is pretty wood. I suspect when milled it should dry easier/faster/flatter than fruit trees, they can be a real challenge. As far as the price…I would say that is high. There is 122 bft in that log, so you are paying $1+ bft before processing (and who knows if it will even mill/dry into anything usable ?) That is a big one though, I don’t see them 22”. That of course is your call, myself I would offer to haul it off for free.
-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/
jeffthewoodwacker
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194 posts in 289 days
posted 110 days ago
Bradford pear turns very well. You could make up some large bowl blanks, turn part way down now, put some sealer on the endgrain and then finish turning when the blank dries out – give it about 6 months. The price is a little high.
-- Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.