Sweetgum log

Dave Boyt · May 9, 2013

Sweetgum doesn't seem to get much respect, but this one was blown down during the Joplin, MO tornado two years ago. Even though it had been sitting, the wood was in fair shape, with some spalting at the ends, transitioning to very nice blue-gray color in the middle. Log was 36" at the butt end, so it took a little trimming to get on the Norwood mill (listed as a 34" max diameter). The 3,000 pound log did not seem to be any problem for the frame. Sawing was slow going, but no problem with wavy cuts. I cut it down to a 20" wide cant, and sliced boards down, but looking back, I wish I had cut 24" wide boards instead. The front end loader couldn't lift enough to turn the log, so I rigged up a farm jack to lift a strap that went under the log and hooked to the top. There's always a way! Still, a pretty good day milling. 334 board feet from an 8' log! Not saying another mill couldn't have done it, just saying the Norwood sawmill did!
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820wards · May 9, 2013

Dave Boyt said:
Sweetgum doesn't seem to get much respect

Dave,
I've milled a couple of sweet-gum or liquid amber trees. The first one I milled about two weeks after it was down and the wood stayed a nice creamy white color. The second one I let dry for about 14 months before I milled and it spalted throughout the entire tree. I think 10-12 months would have been just right. The first tree was nice wood to work with for furniture blocking as I used it for. The second tree I have been using for turnings because of the great colors.

Nice tree! Thanks for the pics.

jerry-

Sawyer Rob · May 9, 2013

Hey Dave,

Nice log....how about a shot of what the boards/lumber looks like...

SR

john taliaferro · May 9, 2013

I didn't get the pictures ether ,I know Dave posted pictures he always does .

SDB777 · May 10, 2013

Sweetgum has been pretty good to me. The few logs I milled here had great mineral staining and even some weird looking spalting going on....since they became mostly pen blanks and other small blanks it was just what I needed.

Can't say I liked the smell that was coming off them, but it was what it was! Stinky!!

Got any photo's of the slabs, flitches, or whatever you cut that down to?!?!?!

Scott (nice set-up you have) B