True Laurel (laurus nobilis)

[joe pearson]

I have had a offer from one of my gardener friends of a laurel tree, the size for Denmark is exceptional as we are so far north, there are 5 trunks of 20 + cm and 2 -3 metres long and over 40 years old and extremely dense (heavy), what i would like to know is, does anyone out there know what it is like to turn and are there any particular things I should be aware of regarding splitting, drying time or should it be turned wet????

 

[nicktodd]

Bay Laurel

If it's related to the Bay Laurel we have here, It has non-descript strait grain that is nice to turn.

I think it would be worth the effort to give it a try!

Wikipedia says they are the same tree.

 

[Richard Baker]

I think it would be worth the effort to give it a try!

Joe, Definitely agree with Nick. Suggest you heavily seal the log ends asap. Also suggest begin cutting and rough turning bowls (or whatever) asap while the wood is still wet. Cut off one piece at a time and do the roughouts, resealing the log end after each cutoff. The alternative would be to cut it all into blank sizes, remove the pith, and seal the blank ends. Might try one or two roughouts first to be sure you like the wood.

 

[Richard Baker]

Almost forgot, Welcome to the forum Joe.

 

[robo hippy]

I have turned a lot of California Bay Laurel (myrtle wood) and it is fairly stable and easy to dry, but hard on tools. I got some pieces from a laurel hedge, don't know the exact type, and it shattered as it dried. I guess there is one sure way to find out, and that is to try some, and keep the rest sealed.

robo hippy

 

[n7bsn]

Wiki says that True Laurel is Bay Laurel (Mrytle), which is commonly turned down where Robo lives.

It can be a very nice wood. Treat it like any wet wood. Cut the pith out, treat the ends and allow to slow dry....or turn green, dry and finish turn....or take it to finish thickness while wet and let it dry.


Ralph

 

[Rob Wallace]

If it's related to the Bay Laurel we have here, It has non-descript strait grain that is nice to turn.

I think it would be worth the effort to give it a try!

Wikipedia says they are the same tree.

This is yet another example of Wikipedia NOT being the end-all of worldly knowledge!!!!

They are certainly NOT the same species...

Myrtle or California Bay Laurel is the species Umbellularia californica which IS in the same family (Lauraceae) as the species of 'True' Laurel that Joe is asking about, Laurus nobilis. It is likely they have similar characteristics as far as the wood goes.

These species in the Laurel Family are among the most primitive of flowering plant groups (part of the group of the so-called 'paleoherbs'), and are related to magnolias, pawpaws, and star anise.... The wood of laurels (broadly defined) is somewhat fibrous with interlocked grain, and does not generally have a strong figure character. You will find that they have a pleasant odor when you turn them, due to ethereal oils found in the tissues of these plants.

Such large trunks of Laurus nobilis are not particularly common, and were it me there Joe, I would gather as much wood as I could get! I can't help much with information on how the wood distorts or checks upon drying, but knowing some of its relatives, it probably is not too bad relative to more widely available woods.

I hope this helps.

Rob Wallace

 

[joe pearson]

thanks for all the replies, I have now got some of it home in my hopelessly overfull workshop and hope to rough turn it, the rest has been treated and put in the barn for later, its amasing what some of my "fellow turners" here in Denmark are prepared to offer for a swap for some of it:cool2::cool2: so I am realy looking forward to seeing a result.