bowl blanks from a root ball and stump?

[Bob Hodge]

Son in law presents me with a walnut stump.  It is  freshly cut and dug out.  About 20 inches across at ground level. There is about thirty inches from above the ground. I know how to handle that part. 

There is about 30 inches of the root ball from below the ground, possibly 20 inches across for a couple of feet before roots start branching out.

I already know how to dull my chain saw cutting wood with dirt in it or  rocks  surrounded by root growth.  

 

So,  before I start, any wisdom about the value of working the portion of the stump that was below ground? 

 

I may  have to make a new friend of the fellow who has a contract to take down trees and pull stumps for son in law's city.  

[Gerald]

Try to power wash. Even then there may be rocks that the tree grew around. Maybe a plunge cut to avoid outside rocks. Also possibly use belt sander or grinder to clear the outer rough surface.

[Jim L]

Be sure to show us what you end up with!  Sounds like an adventure.....

[lew]

+1 for what @Gerald said.

[Billy B]

On 5/6/2019 at 10:20 PM, Gerald said:

Try to power wash. Even then there may be rocks that the tree grew around. Maybe a plunge cut to avoid outside rocks. Also possibly use belt sander or grinder to clear the outer rough surface.

I agree with Gerald about power washing, but usually just a high pressure nozzle on a garden hose will do the trick.  The below ground root ball is well worth using and has the most amazing grain that you will ever find.  Be careful when turning because what you think is one solid piece could be separate interlocking pieces and at some point you will make the critical cut that allows the two or more pieces to separate from one another.  So make frequent stops to carefully examine the piece for integrity.  Also, listen very carefully for "funny" sounds.  Don't ignore any change in sound ... the wood is talking to you ... if you aren't listening it might smack you upside the head to gain your undivided attention.

[FlGatorwood]

Take a look here for some tips.

 

 

[HandyDan]

I gave it a shot a few years ago.  Be prepared for lots of tool sharpening.  I went through a few design changes and had to get creative too.  The bowl ended up a lot smaller than I had envisioned.  It is definitely an adventure.

 

   

 

 

 

 

[Bob Hodge]

Dan, thanks for the photos.    Only a true woodworker could see a bowl in that root ball that you started with.  

What kind of wood is it?

I once did something with the root ball of a yew bush. I had read about yew, but didn't know at the time that are yew  trees, not just yew bushes.

I dried it out with the polyglycol that displaces water. That worked well, except it was then full of water based wax which would not take a finish.  I did find a dark purple streak through it that was unique.

 

So, I am presently working on my walnut stump - two feet above ground and two feet of root.  Both are very wet. The root wood is wetter and seems to be much darker brown.  So far, I have roughed out three bowls and one vessel, and have two 30 gallon bags full of shavings. Oh, and I  had to learn how to get walnut stains off my blackened hands (lemon juice and salt, just so you know). And, I will go see  my friendly chain saw sharpening friend tomorrow.  

[HandyDan]

The root ball was from a Weeping Cherry ornamental tree.  It sat under roof on my back patio for a couple years and was quite dry when I turned it.  I had some Moss False Cypress bushes in my back yard when I bought the house.  They were left to grow wild and some were over 8" tall.  They have the short prickly needles and I hated to mow by them. 

 

 

I cut them down and burned most of them.  Saved a couple pieces and turned this box and found some nice color in it.  Now I wish I had saved more.

 

 

Amazing what is inside some of these trees.