Wood Id help needed

[Marc Banka]

I bought this and another like it at an estate auction of a long time woodturner/woodworker/craftsman.
I made a bowl from one piece, (can’t find the photo) and have been staring at this thing for the last few years. Thinking about a vase or hollow form. A bit intimidating with all of the voids.

Anyway, other than being some kind of root, I’m stumped! Any suggestions? Both with wood identification and thoughts, insight from those of you with applicable experience.

Marc

 

[Michael Anderson]

other than being some kind of root, I’m stumped!

That gave me a chuckle. Well done haha.

I don’t have much experience with rootballs, so I’ll abstain from that side of things. As to the wood, it has to be Manzanita. If not, color me surprised.

 

[Richard Coers]

If it's as hard as a rock, it's manzanita, very soft it could be redwood.

 

[Gary Beasley]

It looks very much like the manzanita I had.

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

Can’t help with the ID but that is certainly an intimidating chunk of wood for those like me who tend to overthink the possibilities and don’t want to make the “wrong” choice. I wish you luck.

 

[Roger Wiegand]

Can't tell you what it is, manzanita is a pretty good guess. Looks like it's going to be fun! I'd throw a turn or two of nylon strap tape around the outside when you start to hollow, just in case there are parts that aren't well anchored.

 

[Marc Banka]

I’ve turned manzanita before. This isn’t as hard, so maybe it’s redwood, but seems too hard and dense for that. Although I’ve not had redwood burl or root stock.

The piece I have has a noticeable separation between root and above. Or maybe burl and normal wood?
I wetted the wood for the pictures.

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

It sure looks like Manzanita. Keep in mind that each piece of wood is different, so this one might be softer or harder then a previous piece you may have turned.

 

[Kevin Jesequel]

Looks like it could be ceanothus (California lilac) burl, though the piece I’ve turned was every bit as hard as manzanita.