Cottonwood Burl

[Rusty Fleeman]

I have a shot at a large Cottonwood burl. Have any of you had much experience turning it? I know it can be an irritant to some but don't know much else about it. It' around 30" and 14" deep. Also can' find much on cost. Would $200 be a fair price? Thanks!

 

[robo hippy]

No idea on cost, but Madrone burl goes for more than $1 per pound wet, if you are buying a couple hundred pounds worth. Generally not sold by the piece. $200 might be a bit much. Looks like 4 burl buds growing together...

robo hippy

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

Sounds like a lot of cash to me! But I've never paid more than $10 dollars a cord...

One thing to remember about cottonwood is the amazing crotch figure. If you can get ahold of any pieces where branches forked the grain is amazing. Cottonwood carries crotch figure more than most species.

It's not the funnest species to work with...crazy tear out. You don't get the best shavings in most cases.

Here's an example of a couple from a single, huge crotch. Also look for dimples on the trunk, they come out as little cat's eyes.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Just my opinion ... that sounds like too much to pay, but if you are getting it from a relative or good friend that might make a difference. I got several very large pieces of cottonwood for free from a neighbor (no burl or other figure) and wound up sending it to the dump. Stinky and stringy and then the pieces that I had outdoors started splitting like crazy.

 

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

One of the worst woods I ever turned. Tear out is incredible.

 

[john lucas]

Mike Mahoney makes incredibly beautiful things from Cottonwood. I have not turned it myself. Can't offer you advice on money, don't have any and have spent very little of it on wood. Althought I do spend more than I should on very small pieces of exotic wood from Big monk lumber. So in reality spending $40 on a small armload of wood isn't all that different from spending $200 on a large burl. Of course I will make small items that sell out of my wood and make my money back. At least that sounds good in print.

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

Sounds like a lot of cash to me! But I've never paid more than $10 dollars a cord...

One thing to remember about cottonwood is the amazing crotch figure. If you can get ahold of any pieces where branches forked the grain is amazing. Cottonwood carries crotch figure more than most species.

It's not the funnest species to work with...crazy tear out. You don't get the best shavings in most cases.

Here's an example of a couple from a single, huge crotch. Also look for dimples on the trunk, they come out as little cat's eyes.
View attachment 24814 View attachment 24813

Great looking bowl! Thanks for the feedback as well.

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

Yes sir, there are 4 distinct sections. It has great color and grain as well. Thanks for the pricing information as well. I thought it seemed a bit high, especially when I factor in that I rarely buy wood. But the uniqueness of it in a land dominated by mesquite has me VERY curious. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

Here's a peak at the grain.

 

[Fred Belknap]

I don't like being negative but this is just my opinion. I have access to several burls with little cost to me except to give the giver an occasional bowl. Some burls look good but when cut into are mostly useless and disappointing. If you only get one bowl out of this burl and it is great it may be difficult to sell at a profit, at least in my market. I like burls but I don't like loosing money on one. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[Odie]

Cottonwood can be a very beautiful wood for bowl turning. Many of the burls have bark inclusions and voids, and the only way to avoid sanding is proper tool selection, good technique, and sharp tools. You can work with bark inclusions, but big voids are really difficult to work around. Little voids can be a very nice touch, and aesthetic. All flaws will be risks for coming apart on the lathe.

Would I pay $200 for a burl like that, Rusty.....? I might, but I'd have to see a little more than the picture you gave us. A picture that shows the side that was cut will give you more clues as to what you'll find inside.....but, nothing is a guarantee! You always run the risk of a complete failure, because you never know for sure what you'll find inside.
-----odie-----

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

Thanks for the input! Here's a better look at the grain.
QUOTE="odie, post: 133240, member: 3578"]Cottonwood can be a very beautiful wood for bowl turning. Many of the burls have bark inclusions and voids, and the only way to avoid sanding is proper tool selection, good technique, and sharp tools. You can work with bark inclusions, but big voids are really difficult to work around. Little voids can be a very nice touch, and aesthetic. All flaws will be risks for coming apart on the lathe.

Would I pay $200 for a burl like that, Rusty.....? I might, but I'd have to see a little more than the picture you gave us. A picture that shows the side that was cut will give you more clues as to what you'll find inside.....but, nothing is a guarantee! You always run the risk of a complete failure, because you never know for sure what you'll find inside.
-----odie-----
View attachment 24815[/QUOTE]

 

[John Turpin]

It looks like several bowls could come out of it, thus spreading out the cost. I'd negotiate the price down as low as possible and then probably go for it. But, admittedly I have a wood hoarding problem.

 

[Richard Coers]

Some of the bark inclusions tell me it won't hold together for a single big piece. I don't care for the smell of cottonwood, but no health issues. I wouldn't pay more than $100, and would probably hesitate at that price.

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

It looks like several bowls could come out of it, thus spreading out the cost. I'd negotiate the price down as low as possible and then probably go for it. But, admittedly I have a wood hoarding problem.

Don't we all! I can barely Park a car in the drive! I can core so the potential for several pieces is high.

 

[JeffSmith]

I’ve seen some very nice pieces turned from cottonwood - particularly burl, but my experience has been closer to Bill’s. Stinky, stringy, nearly impossible to cut cleanly (at least when green) and really not worth the aggravation. I’ve come to the conclusion that there may be regional variations of the species that have better turning properties, but what grows around here is junk.
I did a little research when I was trying to turn this stuff and there was only one commercial usage for cottonwood - floors on horse stalls - seems it is impervious to horse urine...Since there is currently little demand for horse stalls (compared to the turn of the last century) I decided to pass when offerred more. As I recall, it didn’t even burn well.
My advice - if its free, give it a try. If its $200, I could buy two very nice new tools for that kind of money and they’d probably be sharpened away before getting through that stuff.

 

[Odie]

Thanks for the input! Here's a better look at the grain.

From what I'm seeing, I'd feel a little hesitant, but there could be a couple of outstanding bowls in there. If there is bargaining room, I'd try to reduce the price, if I could. Bark inclusions don't look too bad.....those that are visible can easily be included in the finished bowl. The grain on the lower half look to have great potential.

No matter what, it's still a gamble.......at least you can rule out some burls that are obviously problematic, or altogether losing propositions. That one is a definite maybe!

-----odie-----

 

[tdrice]

Cottonwood can be hard to turn. It needs sharp tools and care and will still require a lot of sanding. However it can have some fantastic grain and rich chatoyance. Cottonwood burls, however are some of the most beautiful domestic wood there is. I would pay $200 in a heartbeat and not even try to bargain.

 

[Paul Grenier]

The most that I've ever paid for a very large burl - approx 150# - was $150. When I cut it open, it turned out to be so, so and not worth $150. No wonder the seller "allowed" me to dicker with him and get the price down to $150. He apparently knew what he had or hadn't in this particular case.

 

[Rusty Fleeman]

I’ve seen some very nice pieces turned from cottonwood - particularly burl, but my experience has been closer to Bill’s. Stinky, stringy, nearly impossible to cut cleanly (at least when green) and really not worth the aggravation. I’ve come to the conclusion that there may be regional variations of the species that have better turning properties, but what grows around here is junk.
I did a little research when I was trying to turn this stuff and there was only one commercial usage for cottonwood - floors on horse stalls - seems it is impervious to horse urine...Since there is currently little demand for horse stalls (compared to the turn of the last century) I decided to pass when offerred more. As I recall, it didn’t even burn well.
My advice - if its free, give it a try. If its $200, I could buy two very nice new tools for that kind of money and they’d probably be sharpened away before getting through that stuff.

You may be on to something with the tools! I'e been eyeing some hollowing tools...

 

[Ron Solfest]

I like that idea Maybe I’ll tell my wife I found a few nice burls for $500, and negotiate it down to a couple of new tools for half that price...