Madrone wood

InvalidID · #1 12/02/12, 05:36 PM

I've recently come into some Madrone timber. Anyone have any ideas on what it would be best suited for, besides firewood of course.

TNHermit · #2 12/02/12, 06:03 PM

OMG don't even touch it. Its is HIGHLY toxic. If you have cut it you might see a lot of what looks like Eyes. The hold the poison. keep away from them by all means.

I was trained in how to cure it so the poisons are neutralized. It can then be used to make charcoal.

Wrap it up in 6 mil plastic and shipped it to me IMMEDIATLEY and save your self
Don't even think about letting anyone know you have some. Death could result from that too. Madrone is the bane of all woodworkers and forestry people. Save yourself

Forestdude · #3 12/02/12, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

OMG don't even touch it. Its is HIGHLY toxic. If you have cut it you might see a lot of what looks like Eyes. The hold the poison. keep away from them by all means.

I was trained in how to cure it so the poisons are neutralized. It can then be used to make charcoal.

Wrap it up in 6 mil plastic and shipped it to me IMMEDIATLEY and save your self
Don't even think about letting anyone know you have some. Death could result from that too. Madrone is the bane of all woodworkers and forestry people. Save yourself

I think some poplar in trade would be even

Not sure I've seen anything built out of madrone except some slabs used to make signs w/ a router. It is definitely some beautiful wood.

Invalid, how big is the timber?

Spotted Owl · #4 12/02/12, 06:26 PM

I don't know of a full on mill in the state that deals with it regular. But a lot of the small time, portable and furniture turning guys love that stuff. BUT. Ya have to mess with it green. That stuff is harder than rock when it dries. Enough that local tribes used to use it as knives, spear points and other cutting weapons and tools, once it was dried out. Mostly around us, up north of your new locale it's junk wood. I remember once working on a side we cut one of them buggers that was between 5 & 6 foot on the stump. It wouldn't fly so we left it on the ground to get it out. The butt round 24" off that sucker blew out the crummy. Should've known better when the shovel had to load it for us and wouldn't do it at idle throttle. The best firewood you will find in this part of the world. Burns hot, long and not much ash to speak of. We scavange, and scrounge any madrone we can for firewood. I've personally seen prices of $300 to as much as $400 a cord selling good dry madrone.

Head west and talk to some of the Myrtle wood shops on the coast, they would probably know who is who in that type of wood market.

Don't forget the berries. We pick madrone berries when ever we can find them. Mix them with the normal jam when you're making a batch and it will give things a little extra something. Strawberry, salal, and madrone berry jam is a favorite at our house.

Owl

Buzz Killington · #5 12/02/12, 08:06 PM

Makes beautiful furniture, boxes, and turnings if you can get it to behave. Will tend to twist and turn unpredictably as you're freeing it, so it's often a good idea to oversize your pieces until you see what it's going to do.

Lovely, lovely stuff if you've got the right board.

K.B. · #6 12/02/12, 11:45 PM

There are some places in our area where they have used the madrone intact (roundwood) and it worked out beautifully. I'm told it cracks quite a bit in drying if used for cut lumber.

Its a great tree for us. We have loads of it on our property to work with. Easy to cut with a japanese one hand cross cut saw when it is green, but when it dries it really is about as hard as a rock...

o&itw · #7 12/03/12, 10:17 AM

I have never made anything out of it, but when I lived in Washington state for a couple of years I was always impressed with the beauty of the tree.