Our city just cut down a large silver maple tree. I picked up a few pieces for bowls. I’m trying to decide how I want to cut this as I normally cut out the pith area. This one intrigued me as it is a Y. As you can see one pith on one side the other has two. I think it might make I nice produce an interesting interior but I can’t decide how to slice it. Any thoughts?

 

Some ideas from the folks at the AAW

https://www.aawforum.org/community/threads/how-to-cut-crotch-wood.3635/

 

you didn’t say the size of the piece. Crotch pieces make beautiful natural edge turnings. 
 

Maybe @Gerald will jump in. He has turned crotch pieces. 

13 minutes ago, lew said:

you didn’t say the size of the piece

I guess that would make a difference lol. It’s about 16” in diameter 

thanks for the link, I’ll read through it . My desire is to get a couple bowl’s from it 

 

Edited March 13, 20251 yr by Gordon

Here's another idea

 

https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/cutting-bowl-blanks-from-a-tree/

Depending on how deep the section is it might be interesting to put the crotch at the top of the bowl and the end that just shows the one at the bottom. Beautiful piece of wood !  Get it sealed up quickly !

Paul

You always cut a crotch vertically. That is right thru the end grain. Cut both branches at the same time. This should be mounted so that the pith will be at the bottom of the bowl, somewhat like turning a natural edge bowl. I found this picture which may give you a better idea.

@Gerald  thank you for helping me out.  
So if I understand you correctly, you would cut it something like this ( black line being the split and red being the bowls)

Yes that is it. I am not too great at the drawing part. Of note be careful that you do not hollow too deep and lose the figure you may have. Usually I have better luck at showing figure by doing either a shallow bowl or platter. You can also make two bowls from one half by slicing a half in half with the same cut made on the pith. This will make getting a shallow bowl easier to arrive at.