• We are in the process of upgrading the forums today, Sunday, February 8th. The forums may be responding slowly or may be offline during periods throughout the day. This work should be finished by midday. Thank you for your patience.
  • Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details)
  • AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

I hit the jackpot!

Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
12
Likes
0
Location
Manchester, CT
Hi all, I have been lurking on this site for a while, getting a lot of good information and pointers. I just wanted to share my good fortune!

I have been turning for about 1 year now. Most of my wood has come from eBay or purchasing from places going out of business. Until today.

My next door neighbor has two HUGE Norwegian Maple trees. One is estimated at 150 years old, the other at 80-100 years old. The arborist that came by said the older one has about 5 years of good life left, the other one is in great shape and could live a lot longer.

The electric company is running new 3phase power down her street, and both of these trees need to come down, starting next Monday (they will also stump grind and plant two new trees, her choice of type.) The electric company does not want the wood, and my neighbor only wants a little. She told me I can have as much as I want! YAHOO. These are gorgeous trees and I do mourn their coming down, but I also am very excited about a super supply of excellent wood.

Just wanted to share and say "Hi!, I'm new." Thanks.
 
Neighborhood Trees

I hope you have a chain saw, some anchor seal (or similar) and a place to store the blanks. Great Haul!!

John:p
 
The older tree will probably have nice colors in it as it isn't healthy. The more healthy tree will probably be more bland. Process as much of the older tree as you can, then let the younger one sit and spalt. With that much wood, you may even want to consider getting some milled.
robo hippy
 
That sounds great. Get to know a local tree trimmer, they would love to get rid of their cuttings. I get a call every day or so form my friend who does a lot of cutting in my neighborhood, just give him a bowl for helping you.
I hope you have a good, big bandsaw, I would cut blanks right away and seal them ( buy your armorseal by the 5 gal. ,you will need it)for future turnings.
Have fun, my wife thinks I have abandoned her for I am in the shop all the time.
 
Congrats on a great-sounding haul. A good percentage of my work is done with neighborhood wood.
 
Back
Top