Mesquite?

[gr8scott72]

What can y'all tell me about mesquite wood? Anyone have any experience with it? Got a friend that might be able to basically get all that he can cut and want to know if it's worth a 2 state journey and a week's visit to go see him and help him.

 

[redprospector]

Mesquite's real pretty, but if you're milling with a chainsaw mill it green, it's hard when it dries out.
I like it best for cooking.

Andy

 

[BIG JAKE]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mat/1486658970.html

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mat/1486640098.html

Local guy selling slabs

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Mesquite is great wood. Great for grilling, smoking, or just burning.


But two states away? I don' theeen so, Lucy! Not for any firewood!


Now, if you are going to see a friend anyway, it might be nice to bring back a bit for the barbecue...

 

[gr8scott72]

Mesquite is great wood. Great for grilling, smoking, or just burning.


But two states away? I don' theeen so, Lucy! Not for any firewood!


Now, if you are going to see a friend anyway, it might be nice to bring back a bit for the barbecue...

This is the milling forum, not the firewood forum. I would not be going that far to get firewood. I have WAY more primo oak cut, split, and stacked for firewood already.

 

[gr8scott72]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mat/1486658970.html

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mat/1486640098.html

Local guy selling slabs

This is more of what I was asking about. Is there a big demand for it once milled/slabbed?

 

[Daninvan]

Scott,

I think the slabs that the guy has on Albuquerque Craigslist shows that there is potential to the wood. I have limited experience with it, but the grain can be beautiful and it polishes up very nicely.

It is fairly hard, Janka hardness of 2345, compared to Ebony 3220, Honduras Mahogany 2200, hard maple 1450, just for some comparison.

As I understand mesquite is often considered a 'weed' or 'nuisance' tree, grows with a twisted habit that is hard to get much useful wood out of, and thus frequently ends up in the woodpile.

Wikipedia has some information on it.

Bottom line is find out how big the pieces are that your buddy can get access to. maybe he can get some pictures? If they are big enough that they could be useful to you, then it sounds like you have a roadtrip!

Dan

 

[gr8scott72]

Scott,

I think the slabs that the guy has on Albuquerque Craigslist shows that there is potential to the wood. I have limited experience with it, but the grain can be beautiful and it polishes up very nicely.

It is fairly hard, Janka hardness of 2345, compared to Ebony 3220, Honduras Mahogany 2200, hard maple 1450, just for some comparison.

As I understand mesquite is often considered a 'weed' or 'nuisance' tree, grows with a twisted habit that is hard to get much useful wood out of, and thus frequently ends up in the woodpile.

Wikipedia has some information on it.

Bottom line is find out how big the pieces are that your buddy can get access to. maybe he can get some pictures? If they are big enough that they could be useful to you, then it sounds like you have a roadtrip!

Dan

He says it's acres and acres of mesquite that the landowner just wants gone and if not gone by april, he will have it all bulldozed to clear the land for whatever he is needing it for.

They are supposed to be larger mesquites (24" - 30" diameter) and plenty of them.

We'll see!

 

[Daninvan]

Well 24"-30" sounds very promising to me. If that is true and there are 'acres and acres' then it seems very likely that you would find some nice stuff. If it's just going to be bulldozed anyhow you could 'highgrade' and just take the best of the best pieces.

I don't know what you are intending to do with it. If it is for personal use that is different than if this is to be a business venture. In the latter case you really need to sharpen your pencil and look at the potential revenues and expenses. If the slabs are for you and your buddy to use, then only you can say what their worth is to you versus other things you could do with your time.

I also don't know how long a 'two state trip' is in your neck of the woods. I guess if worse comes to worse you can always pull out and come home after a day or two?

Dan

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

This is the milling forum, not the firewood forum. I would not be going that far to get firewood. .

Ooops! My mistake!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

He says it's acres and acres of mesquite that the landowner just wants gone and if not gone by april, he will have it all bulldozed to clear the land for whatever he is needing it for.

They are supposed to be larger mesquites (24" - 30" diameter) and plenty of them.

We'll see!

Yeah, seeing is a good thing! I think I'd want to see pictures!


With the right camera, maybe those 24-30" trees would shrink a bit. Ya know what ah mean?

 

[KD57]

Be prepared to have some flat tires if you are gonna drive around in a Mesquite flat, the thorns are tire killers. As far as the wood goes, it is very pretty, makes good furniture.
I have lived in Mesquite country all my life, and I rarely see one bigger than 24" DBH, as most die out before reaching that size. If the guy really has acres of them that big, it is a rare find, and I would take advantage of it.
Just make sure the trees are actually that big.
BTW, where is this place located?

 

[gr8scott72]

BTW, where is this place located?

Think I'm telling you? lol

J/K. It's outside SanAntonio.

 

[gr8scott72]

Well 24"-30" sounds very promising to me. If that is true and there are 'acres and acres' then it seems very likely that you would find some nice stuff. If it's just going to be bulldozed anyhow you could 'highgrade' and just take the best of the best pieces.

I don't know what you are intending to do with it. If it is for personal use that is different than if this is to be a business venture. In the latter case you really need to sharpen your pencil and look at the potential revenues and expenses. If the slabs are for you and your buddy to use, then only you can say what their worth is to you versus other things you could do with your time.

I also don't know how long a 'two state trip' is in your neck of the woods. I guess if worse comes to worse you can always pull out and come home after a day or two?

Dan

I would love to have some for myself but this would be a money making trip.

I'm waiting to hear back from him as to what is really out there.

It's about 11 hours from me.

 

[billstuewe]

Mesquite is considered by many to be North America's exotic. I have seen prices as high as $16 bf for the right figure and commonly over $8 bf. Check out these websites for more info:
http://www.texasmesquiteassn.org/
We here in Texas have out own organization promoting mesquite--and firewood is an extreme waste of the tree if it is of any size!!!!!!

http://www.mesquiteburl.com/

Remember, with mesquite, the "flaws" are charactor--we use lots of epoxy

 

[redprospector]

I would love to have some for myself but this would be a money making trip.

I'm waiting to hear back from him as to what is really out there.

It's about 11 hours from me.

Haha. Once you get as far west as Texas, 11 hours ain't much of a trip.
It's a long way to anywhere where I live.
If the trees are as big as they are telling you, and you have a way to mill it, I'd go for it. Specialty woods seem to move slow (around here anyway), but it sure comes in handy when you move a couple of chunks.

Andy

 

[gr8scott72]

Haha. Once you get as far west as Texas, 11 hours ain't much of a trip.
It's a long way to anywhere where I live.
If the trees are as big as they are telling you, and you have a way to mill it, I'd go for it. Specialty woods seem to move slow (around here anyway), but it sure comes in handy when you move a couple of chunks.

Andy

That's the part that I'm afraid of. Having all that pretty wood and not being able to sell it.

 

[redprospector]

That's the part that I'm afraid of. Having all that pretty wood and not being able to sell it.

Most of the good, high profit deals are a gamble. You could win, loose, or draw. You are the one who has to decide if it's worth the risk's involved.
An old man told me once on a similar deal; "Think long, think wrong.
Good luck,

Andy

 

[KD57]

Think I'm telling you? lol

J/K. It's outside SanAntonio.

Heck I am IN Texas, you could probably get there before I do, lol

 

[n175h]

Hey Scott,

I'm just outside of San Antonio and yes we do cut this stuff down as a nuisance plant. However, you may have a rare find. There is a company that buys the logs if you want to go that route.

http://www.mesquitefloors.com/

Times are slow and prices may not be too good. I've got some good logs that my son scored cutting down some trees for a neighbor. We haven't milled them, yet. They are wasting in the yard right now. I think mesquite makes some of the most beautiful furniture and flooring available. JMO, though. Good luck.

PS, This is my first post. Been lurking for two years