| Project by Roman Hrytsak | posted 469 days ago | 1285 views | 0 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
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I was raised on a farm in rural Manitoba and 35 years ago when my father passed away I wanted sustain a connection to him and the land I was raised on. So I cut several saplings of willow and planted them in my yard in Calgary. Last week the towering 30 foot trees were cut down as they had matured and were a concern to us and the neighbours.
Of the five trees planted, four had survived, with their trunks at the base being a minimum of 24 inches. Hence the pile of wood left for me by the arborists who spent three days cutting them down. They chopped up all the small branches and left me with the heavier stuff in order to reduce the cost of removal.
My trusted friend, True Temper and I commenced the movement of this wood from the front yard to my back yard so that I could facilitate the final removal of the wood, i.e. giving it away free for the asking. Then a brain wave hit me and I decided to redecorate my yard – WOODHENGE- was the result. This will provide my grandkids and me a place to have picnics. In pictures 4, 5, and 6 you will see a table along with the king’s ‘throne’.
I may even let the wood dry out to carve a few more boots.
At time of posting, I still have 2/3 of the pile to move. My body asked for a rest!
-- Roman:... there are no mistakes, just opportunities for a design change!
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8 comments so far
a1Jim
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87054 posts in 1745 days
#1 posted 469 days ago
Interesting story ,I’m wondering if in a couple years the name will change from “Woodhenge” to “Termiteville” LOL
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
peteg
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#2 posted 469 days ago
Good for the spirit Roman, :))
Pete
-- Pete G: If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got
Roger
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#3 posted 469 days ago
looks like lotsa bowls, handles, knobs, pens, and who knows what else is layin there. Has anyone worked with Willow before? just wonderin
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
boxcarmarty
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#4 posted 468 days ago
Willow is a pliable wood used for many things including weaving it into wicker. It is a good wood for turning…..
-- My mind is like lighting, one brilliant flash, then its gone.....
tamboti
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#5 posted 468 days ago
Great story. The pieces you have left ask your local woodturners / woodworkers club if they could use the wood. willow will turn well even if only for practice, Regards Roger
-- Africa is not for sissies
JamesVavra
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255 posts in 1483 days
#6 posted 468 days ago
I’ve turned weeping willow (Salix babylonica) – it can be beautiful stuff.
Flaming Willow Bowl
Willow Mortar and Pestle
Roman Hrytsak
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379 posts in 854 days
#7 posted 468 days ago
Thanks for all the comments.
I have contacted some turners in the area but no bites so far!
Great looking bowls James. My wood shows beautiful heart wood too.
-- Roman:... there are no mistakes, just opportunities for a design change!
Sodabowski
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1805 posts in 1000 days
#8 posted 467 days ago
I know willow can turn a beautiful color when attacked by staining spalters. I made pens out of spalted willow, they turn easy and hold very well some abuse.
-- Thomas - There is no such thing as a problem, there only are solutions.
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