Black Gum (Black Tupelo)

[John Van Domelen]

I just came by a truckload of this wood - pieces up to 16 inches in diameter.

Is this good turning wood or should I burn it in the fireplace?

 

[Rob Wallace]

John:

Unfortunately I've had no personal experience turning black gum tupleo (Nyssa sylvatica), but do know that water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) is one of the preferred woods for power carving birds and other things that need to hold detail quite well. As many others do, I referenced the ultimate source of all knowledge, Wikipedia ( ), for Nyssa sylvatica HERE, and for characteristics of its wood, the following was found:

Wood: Pale yellow, sapwood white; heavy, strong, very tough, hard to split, not durable in contact with the soil. Used for turnery. Sp. gr., 0.6353; weight of cu. ft., 39.59.

I have seen a few very nice turnings done out of tupelo, but don't know if they were from N. sylvatica or N. aquatica.

I don't know anything about their turning characteristics, but would be willing to do extensive research on the topic if you send me a few blanks.....

Turn it anyway - seems the price is right!

Rob

 

[Barry Elder]

If you haven't had any Tupelo Honey, you haven't lived! Anything this good must mean that the wood is excellent for turning!

 

[David Lee]

It's too hot to burn it. You might as well turn some of it while you wait for our winter. I bet no one has ever burned a truckload of wood in a single winter in Houston.

 

[Robert Manning]

John:

There's a sculptor out here who orders tupelo from a Florida swamp and uses it for its creamy white smoothness and large sizes. He often dyes his pieces.

I have also seen crown moulding machined out of gum which may be your variety. It was as smooth as maple and lighter weight with a tan color and some interesting brown streaking very similar to poplar. I would say that the density was between maple and poplar.

Your wood will be a perfect fit for that yet to be discovered idea.

Best regards,

 

[John Van Domelen]

Thanxs

I musta missed that on Wiki - I did look it up before posting.

Gonna havta get some of that honey.

I processed some today - very stringy and wet when chainsawing.

Will rough out some this weekend once I get it slabbed and trimmed and see how it cuts.

I'll burn the scraps this winter to heat the green house - I can go through a good bit of wood keeping the orchids warm, even in Houston.

 

[Barbara Gill]

I have never turned any but have read that it is a great turning wood.

 

[glenkey]

John if yer makin a mailin list to send some to yer friends I'd be more than happy to send ya my address.

 

[Timothy Rowe]

Oh yeah

I think it turns better in South Florida, you may need to bring it here to turn it.
I think it has to do with the whole peninsular thing and never reaching 32 degrees on the beach.
My address is in the directory :