I used to own acreage of cross timber - Redwoods and Madrone
were the major trees.
It is an ancient tree species. It is a skin type tree, flowers,
grows to maybe 20 or 24" in diameter. The bad part is this beautiful
hardwood crooks and bends and grows horizontal or at odd angles.
The wood is pre-loaded with action. Since it grows under these
great pressures, the wood chunk you start to turn might just
pop and explode a side out.
As a commercial wood, the only practical product was window blinds.
They are beautiful. A light to medium brown with nice flashing grain.
I have turned cups (lots of them) and handles for files, and feet for
a music stand I made out of oak. Long moved away, I have several
seasoned limb chunks in the shop. I also have some walking sticks.
Martin
On 6/24/2011 4:46 PM, whit3rd wrote:
> I've been able to get Madrone, after splitting, to dry well
> in up to two-inch sections (about right for handles,
> but not too good for doors and drawers).