Woods that expell "dirt" when turned

[JAMES L FAY]

Hi-Thanks everyone for the help with 2 piece walking sticks-I am making progress. I will explain the results when I find the best way to join 2 18" "Sticks".


I was just turning some AFRICAN LEADWOOD and it reminds me of CHECHEN-when turned, there is a cloud of DIRT!!! Does the tree encompass/absorb the actual soil? Perhaps I should ask a Botanist... I just find it very odd to say the least. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[MichaelMouse]

Dirt or just dust? Dirt is pretty much silicon oxide the world around, and it will regrind your edge for you in quick order. Dust might not.

 

[Joe Greiner]

The wood in a tree, while growing, will encapsulate any foreign objects. Dirt high in the trunk would be unusual; in a root ball, almost guaranteed - pebbles, too. A chat with a botanist might provide some enlightenment, with the specimen in hand.

Most sawyers refuse to cut non-plantation trees, without indemnification for blade replacement. Arborists often find all manner of inclusions - barbed wire, horseshoes, railroad spikes, and the like. Such sabotage is a favorite trick of environmental terrorists.

And what he said.

 

[Grant Wilkinson]

If you search on "cane" on the Lee Valley site, you will see a few different couplers to join the two pieces.

 

[Jim King]

Dirt in wood

Haveing over 20 years experience in processing wood in the Amazon I can assure you that there are several species here that will have soil pockets in the logs. Real dirt. I dont know how or why but they do exist. My guess would be first that it was inscect born and deposited in growing trees and other than than that I have no idea.

In addition several woods such as Black Ipe have an extremely high silica content thruout the wood and when working the wood sparks actually fly.