Small natural edge cascara bowl. PICs

[Dave Smith]

This is a little cascara buckthorn natural edge bowl I turned a while ago. I didn’t get the foot turned until a couple weeks ago when I applied the first coat of Rockler’s gel polyurethane. This last weekend I got a second coat of finish on the bowl.

The bark stays on the cascara very well. This tree was cut in July and laid on the ground for about a month before I got it. I am surprised how well the bark holds. The bowl ends are 1 7/8" high. Sides are 3/4" high.

This little log has only a small amount of heart wood that gives a nice surprise when you look inside. The length is 4 ½" by 3 ½" wide. Most of the bowl is 1/8" thick. The top of the ends are closer to 3/16".

The bottom had a small crack near the pith that I though would turn away. Fortunately the crack did not extend inside the bowl. A little CA glue stabilized the defect so the bowl could be finished.

Cascara turns well and has a fine grain. Sands and finishes beautifully. There was very little distortion when it dried after the alcohol bath. I rough turn most small bowls to 3/8" before soaking. I find they usually do not distort excessively and there is a lot less material to remove when dry.

I have given some cascara away and sold some but I haven’t heard from anyone who has turned it. I am interested in other turner’s experience with the wood. I think the wood might be good for carving but that is out of my league.

Critiques welcome.

Dave Smith

Finally finished something in Longview, WA.

 

[rbagley]

Hey Dave:
Nice piece. I'd forgotten all about that tree. I live in south Florida now but I grew in Oregon long before I ever thought of woodturning. I can remember as a kid in the early 60's peeling cascara to dry and sell the bark. It killed the tree of course (people weren't concerned about such things then) and my dad always reminded me never to lick my fingers when I was peeling it to avoid diarrea. He said they used to add a little of the juices extracted from the bark to GI's rations to keep them regular. He said they did this during WWII and the Korean war. Haven't thought about that for years.

Bob Bagley

 

[DWFII]

Dave, Bob,

What does cascara look like and where does it grow? I'm in central Oregon and I don't think I've even seen it.

BTW, that's lovely, Dave.


DW
In the High Desert of Central Oregon

 

[rbagley]

DW
I was living near Astoria then and it grew on the west side of the coast Coast Range. The leaves were long and oval shaped as I remember and fairly shiney. The bark was silvery colored and when peeled exposed a bright yellow log. Keep in mind it's been 40 years since I've seen one of these trees so I wouldn't take any of that to the bank. I doubt very highly though you'll find any east of the Cascades.

Bob

www.bagendstudio.com

 

[Dave Smith]

Do a search on cascara and you will find more info on its use as a laxative then anything else. Stripping the bark off cascara trees was a big cottage industry in the Pacific NW for many years.

Bob - Fresh cascara bark has an emetic or vomit-inducing property which is a good reason not to lick your hands when pealing the bark off trees. The bark is dried for a year before being used as a laxative.

DW - The tree needs moisture to grow so I doubt it is found in your area. It is possible it may be found along streams or planted as a yard tree.

Thanks for your kind comments.

Dave Smith

Full of useless information in Longview, WA.