hello all I am cutting down a California Peppertree that has very large Burls on it and I need advice on how I should cut tree to preserve what turners are looking for i just don’t want to incorrectly cut the tree up and ruin some killer pieces of wood please advise tree is 36”  thank you kindly for any advice link is to pictures of tree pictures

 

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0abqA-jeCgmZTkoxPWulR-nsQ

@Gerald, @HandyDan

 

 

Never turned a burl.  Great video @lew.  Thanks.

11 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

Never turned a burl.  Great video @lew.  Thanks.

Wasn't sure if you had or not. Only did a couple myself and they were already harvested.

Welcome to our community and I know all too well the Cali Pepper Tree. In my parts in Riverside we call em concrete busters. Countless sidewalks, patios, home foundations have fallen victim to the hardy Pepper Tree root! 😅

Looks like Lew got ya going on the harvesting of the burls. 

Has anyone of our members ever turned Pepper Tree wood?

I have only turned a little cherry burl. Had the good fortune that both held together . You never know as it may just be an ant nest inside. Also as you get thinner with burls you risk having it all come apart. Wear your face shield . I prefer Danish oil finish from Watco to finish but any finish should work. 

 

Many ways to turn a burl . You can so a natural edge or a regular bowl. But neither will be regular. very difficult to get a "regular" bowl from a burl. Most do the natural edge. Remember you do not have to turn the whole thing as one project. Smaller pieces make excellent projects. Look the Star bowl by Cindy . It is only about 3 inches in diameter. 

 

Good Luck and remember it is wood and it grows on trees.