Where to sell a weird oak?

Madsaw · May 4, 2010

We got a burr oak tree here on teh farm that died last yr. It got a good number of burls or as I call them lumps and bumps all over teh trunk. Where would a good place be to sell this tree. Hate to make it inot firewood. I am thinking it would look cool in a entrance way or a great room.
Bob

hazard · May 4, 2010

I personally have no idea where to sell something like that. You could contact a woodturning club to see if anyone is interested.

How large is the tree?

Where are you located in WI?

Chris

I forgot that we had pm'd before. You could contact some of the art/craft shops in Mineral Point to see if they would be interested. I would be interested in some burls but I won't give you much for them. Maybe a case of beer

headleyj · May 4, 2010

I'd thing if you milled it up it's be worth more as the work would already be done...IDK really - just my thoughts.

It all depends if someone wants burl - I'd say someone would- cabinet makers, woodworkers, etc come to mind, but like I said they need boards not full trees.

striperswaper · May 4, 2010

I mentioned to somebody else with a similar question to try the School of American Craftsmen at Rochester Institute of Technology
if they are not interested they might know of some alumni that might be

mikeb1079 · May 4, 2010

Where would a good place be to sell this tree

well, first things first. it sounds like you're in mineral point so the first thing i'd do is put it up on madison craigslist. you might even try milwaukee craigslist as well. as has been mentioned, it's a niche market so it may take time to find an interested party. make sure to post pics as that always generates interest. one thing you could try is to take the "best offer" approach and let prospective buyers email you with offers. the market is down right now and burr oak is common but it's definitely worth a try. be patient. like you said it would be a shame to turn it into firewood.

good luck! :cheers:

Madsaw · May 4, 2010

mikeb1079 said:
well, first things first. it sounds like you're in mineral point so the first thing i'd do is put it up on madison craigslist. you might even try milwaukee craigslist as well. as has been mentioned, it's a niche market so it may take time to find an interested party. make sure to post pics as that always generates interest. one thing you could try is to take the "best offer" approach and let prospective buyers email you with offers. the market is down right now and burr oak is common but it's definitely worth a try. be patient. like you said it would be a shame to turn it into firewood.

good luck!

Actually I am in darlington. Been thinking about listing it on craigslist. I am going to snap a few pics of it. Its a tree that would be better off staying in one piece and used in some way in a great room or to hold up a balcony in a house. Kind of a weird stephen king looking ones. I was going to add on to my place and use it. Just got character. One of them ones you do not find offten. I have also found a nose pine tree too. Worst of all there the nose is under a crotch in the tree. Makes a real funnt looking pic.
Bob

jczv · May 4, 2010

My dad talked about a guy who did stuff with big slabs of interesting wood at one of those artsey studios around spring green. When my dad's back in town at the end of the week I can try to see if he remembers the guys name. The madison craigslist idea is probably a good idea.