So we have to take down a Kwanzan cherry tree which has developed a hollow trunk. It does have two large branches which I can have the tree guys save sections of if I want. A native cherry I know is okay for turning, but I have found little (none actually) information about this tree's wood. Anyone know how it does for turning?
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Is Japanese cherry a good turning wood?
- Thread starter Michael Dean
- Start date
Incredible turning wood. Beautiful colors and turns like butter. Tends to crack a little though.
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- Apr 27, 2004
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Consider saving a hollow section.
If you have any experience turning balls, hollow blanks make terrific spherical forms with a window.
If yo7 are in a club share a hollow blank with someone who does turn spheres.
Never found a fruitwood I didn't like. All fruit woods love to crack when drying, so get turning!!!
So, the tree is down and I saved two large branch sections (6 to 8" diameter by 4 ft long) and the main trunk (10 to 12" by 5 ft long). All is green as can be, but the heart wood is pretty darned good looking. I'm a novice turner, and so will save back a bit of this and give the rest away to my local AAW chapter folks. Thanks for the input, everyone!
absolutely agree
I agree with Richard.
6-8" branches are pretty limiting in what can be turned. It will really get cracks if the pith is left in the blank unless you turn it super thin.
The Kwanzan cherry I have was spalted in a big way, just a rotten branch I snapped off the tree. The colors were amazing and rich. Pic is of a set of blanks from some of my last bits of it.
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- www.hockenberywoodturning.com
These are great sizes for shallow NE bowls.
I cut the blanks 2-4” longer than the width to emphasize the oval illusion.
With a continuous curve and wall thickness 3/16 these will dry in a few days.
I also turn these footless with a round bottom. They look great with or without bark.
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Or for end grain vases
