Tall cherry trees are down

[ken erickson]

I had three large cherry trees that were too close to the house, along with the fact they were in decline. I had them cut and moved over to my north property line and the young man next to me wants the wood for boards and firewood. He is going to cut me one or two slabs so I can play around and make a live edge coffee table. It was fun to watch the tree service guys do their thing. Because of the house and the lean and size most friends that had chain saws declined to drop them for me ( which I 100% understood!).

Anyone have experience with live edge tables? I was thinking to ask my neighbor to cut the slabs at 2 1/2 inches thick? Does this sound about right and how much of that 2 1/2 can I expect to lose when dried?

 

[sheepfarmer]

I have a dining room table of black walnut live edge, started out being sawed at 1.5 inches and is now about 1.25 inches. My considerations were being able to lift or slide the table once it was done. It is plenty heavy at 1.25 inches.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I also have made from a tree on my place a little coffee table of spalted maple that ended up about an inch and a quarter. That thickness is plenty to display the live edge features. That one was cut with a chain saw and then after drying a while turned into a table for me by a friend. It has cracked, but the spalting creates weak spots.

 

[Motion]

As always do as you feel is best. Based on the photos if you desire a live edge table you may be disappointed, you'll be lucky to get a couple of mantels. Will you friend be milling the wood or send them out? Will he take everything trees, branches, all of them? Seems that there your trees you should get pick of the litter. If you want a final dimension of 2 1/2 inches I suggest going at least a 1/4 inch bigger to allow for shrinkage and type of mill used (band, circular or chainsaw). Don't flat stack , stick them and store them out of the weather to allow proper drying. Consider painting the butt ends to help prevent cracking. Just my .02

 

[Creature Meadow]

Magicman is the resident expert here on saw milling, I bet he can offer advice.

May check YouTube Out of the Woods, a guy who does lots of videos on sawing logs. he cuts many slabs 2 1/4" thick. I assume because after drying and planning he ends up with a 2" thick slab.

Sure magicman will be along when he is not sawing and offer some insight.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I am inclined to think 2.5 inches is overkill, but much will depend on size, how you intend to dry it, and then make the table. A friend who is a hobby wood worker made mine, and so I can’t speak to that part of the process. It is a great deal of fun, and very satisfying in the end. The sawing kiln drying planing etc can get expensive though.

 

[ken erickson]

Thanks for everyones insight!
I think perhaps I will try and go with a 2 inch slab and go from there.
The largest of the three measures about 20 inches at the butt end of the cut. I am also ok with joining two slabs in the middle. It will be a fun and interesting project for me and I am sure a good learning experience.

 

[Magicman]

Most customers want 2 1/2". You can always plane it thinner but you can't make it thicker. Thicker also helps if the slab twist a bit while drying.

 

[GeoHorn]

This is a liquor cabinet/island in our dining area which is 1-1/2” thick mesquite. (Overall it’s 94” X 32”)
We had a local man make it for us out of a tree cut down on the ranch. It is very sturdy and heavy.

 

[Lil Foot]

That is beautiful!

 

[Magicman]

Very nice indeed Geo!!

 

[ken erickson]

Thanks again for the pictures and suggestions!
Hard to beat the natural beauty of wood especially when combined with a good craftsman.

Magicman,
I am going with your suggestion and having them sawed at 2 1/2. Thanks!

 

[Magicman]

Be sure to share some pictures.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Or if money is no object, nice George Nakashima table available:

George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990). Rare Odakyu Table, 1984. | Lot #67014 | Heritage Auctions

America's Auction House

fineart.ha.com

 

[Magicman]

I see at least one crotch that may turn out some figured pieces in a Cherry tree:

Walnut crotch (fork).

Book matched Cherry. You never know what is hiding inside of a log.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I see at least one crotch that may turn out some figured pieces in a Cherry tree:
View attachment 58711
Walnut crotch (fork).
View attachment 58712
Book matched Cherry. You never know what is hiding inside of a log.

Yes, that is what is so intriguing and why there are all these hunks of wood in my garage and hay loft. I don’t have the power tools or expertise. Thought I could take up bowl turning (probably not advisable if you are already old and rickety) and realized I was a bit afraid of what a mishandled gouge could do to a wall. But it was so much fun to see what would appear from a block of wood.

 

[Magicman]

I sometime saw some interesting stuff for bowl turners:

These will make a couple of items.

This is unusual and kinda neat.

Here is an ugly looking piece.

And this was inside. All of the above was for the same customer and he was very happy.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I sometime saw some interesting stuff for bowl turners:
View attachment 58725
These will make a couple of items.
View attachment 58726
This is unusual and kinda neat.
View attachment 58727
Here is an ugly looking piece.
View attachment 58728
And this was inside. All of the above was for the same customer and he was very happy.

Those would be gorgeous all polished up!