Avocado

[Bill in Buena Park]

There's an venerable old avocado tree on my mom's lot - must be well over 60 years old; the trunk has close to a 3ft diameter, and must be 40-50 ft tall. I've been tending it for her over the last ~30 years, harvesting the fruit and doing the trimming as needed. One limb on the tree died several years ago due to boring by carpenter bees. I removed the limb, and saved some portions that were not damaged - but didn't realize these went on the woodpile to season over the years.

I was inspecting that woodpile today for termites which have plagued her off and on), and found those pieces. Very heavy and dense, I took them home to resaw to see what was inside - which is a very non-porous, light wood with subtle grain. I'm thinking of making some boxes from this, as gifts for my siblings (sentimental value). The cut pieces are from a 5.5in diameter limb.

In the last photo, there's a piece I'd like to cut in the vertical orientation shown, but having not added the riser to my BS, only have the 6in capacity...so I'm looking for thoughts on whether to remove enough from top and bottom to fit, which would yield some nice wide segments, or possibly just rotate to horizontal, and get several less-wide segments?

[crokett]

I would remove enough to fit or find somebody who can resaw as-is. I think you will get some nice figure from that crotch if you saw it vertically.

[JR]

Six inches is plenty of width for most box work. The big question is how much usable length you'll get out of that piece with that narrow bit in the center.

It is also helpful to get as much length as you can. Ideally the box sides wiould have a continuous grain running all around the box. It can also be done by flipping two resawn pieces end for end if thats more convenient.

When you're resawing it may be helpful to think about how the top will look. I have found that a bookmatched panel in the top makes a very pleasing effect.

I think it's a great idea to use that avacado for the wemtimental reasons you've suggested. I have been making boxes for my sibs including maple and and some plywood from a book case my father and I bought at auction when I was about 10.

Have fun!

JR

[scmhogg]

some plywood from a book case my father and I bought at auction when I was about 10.
JR

Did they even have plywood that long ago?

Steve

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks David and JR.

I trimmed the limb segment to the 6in height, and put through the saw, got 3 decent boards, showing the crotch grain I was looking for. I also got a fourth slightly smaller board, and few other pieces usable for sides, so all in all, I'm pleased. The pictures show the three nicer boards, and a closeup of the crotch grain (very subtle). I'll need to find something now to make this grain pop a little. Any thoughts?

Thanks for looking.