turning wilted oak

[Hugh MacMenamin]

Is it possible to turn oak that has been cut from a tree that has been cut down because of oak wilt? Thanks

 

[Odie]

Oak wilt is a fungal disease that can quickly kill an oak tree. It is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. Symptoms vary by tree species but generally consist of leaf discoloration, wilt, defoliation, and death.

I was unfamiliar with the term, so had to look it up. I don't know the answer, but I turn wood from all kinds of tree afflictions......I'd say it all depends on how solid the wood is, and how interesting it looked.😉

I wouldn't be surprised if I've already turned some wilt oak. Some of the wood I purchase is reclaimed from the dump......

Maybe this one:

ooc

 

[hockenbery]

Is it possible to turn oak that has been cut from a tree that has been cut down because of oak wilt? Thanks

When I am unsure of a wood, I turn a small piece. Something that takes a few minutes a 3-4" diameter cylinder will give you an idea.
I often turn a small natural edge bowl. They go quickly for me and give a lot of feedback on the stability of the wood.

Al

 

[Bill Boehme]

Is it possible to turn oak that has been cut from a tree that has been cut down because of oak wilt? Thanks

Welcome to the AAW forum, Hugh. Are you asking if it is possible to turn or if you should you turn it. Oak wilt is a fungal disease and has become a very serious problem in Central Texas which is predominantly live oaks. Oak wilt mainly destroys red oaks and live oaks. I'm not sure if live oaks are classifies as a white oak because they do not have the same leaf structure. The wood structure of live oaks is also slightly different that white oaks. Once a tree is infected it declines fairly quickly.

Oak wilt or just about any other disease that kills trees doesn't affect how it turns so you ought to be able to turn the wood without any difference from turning healthy wood. If you are asking "should you", that depends on a lot of things like where did you get the wood, is it possible that the wood has any of the beetles that carries the oak wilt fungus and are there any oaks in your area that would be susceptible to spreading the disease. In Texas, it is illegal to transport oak from an area where oak wilt is known to exist. In your situation, if there is a possibility of spreading the disease, I would suggest burning the wood. For a definitive answer it would be a good idea to consult either a certified arborist or your county agricultural extension agent.

 

[Hugh MacMenamin]

Oak Wilt

Welcome to the AAW forum, Hugh. Are you asking if it is possible to turn or if you should you turn it. Oak wilt is a fungal disease and has become a very serious problem in Central Texas which is predominantly live oaks. Oak wilt mainly destroys red oaks and live oaks. I'm not sure if live oaks are classifies as a white oak because they do not have the same leaf structure. The wood structure of live oaks is also slightly different that white oaks. Once a tree is infected it declines fairly quickly.

Oak wilt or just about any other disease that kills trees doesn't affect how it turns so you ought to be able to turn the wood without any difference from turning healthy wood. If you are asking "should you", that depends on a lot of things like where did you get the wood, is it possible that the wood has any of the beetles that carries the oak wilt fungus and are there any oaks in your area that would be susceptible to spreading the disease. In Texas, it is illegal to transport oak from an area where oak wilt is known to exist. In your situation, if there is a possibility of spreading the disease, I would suggest burning the wood. For a definitive answer it would be a good idea to consult either a certified arborist or your county agricultural extension agent.

Thank you for the reply. And thanks for clarifying the issue. I am asking "should I" turn oak from a tree that has oak wilt. I have a friend who is loosing 3 oak trees because of oak wilt disease and I wondered if I could / should take some and turn it. But it looks like I should not as I would not want to be responsible for spreading this disease. Thanks again to all for your answers.

 

[Gretch Flo]

A few years back, the head grounds guy from Mich State univ warned me that some crab apple had a disease, and that bringing it home could affect any live apple trees I had. I did and kept it in my basement after cutting it up, or in a storage shed 15 feet from my 3 apple trees. No disease except wind and ice storms, and they need mother natures pruning, anyway. Not saying I used the best judgement, (it was such beautiful wood!!!!) but think I "got away" with it. Gretch

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Welcome to the AAW forum, Hugh. Are you asking if it is possible to turn or if you should you turn it. Oak wilt is a fungal disease and has become a very serious problem in Central Texas which is predominantly live oaks. Oak wilt mainly destroys red oaks and live oaks. I'm not sure if live oaks are classifies as a white oak because they do not have the same leaf structure. The wood structure of live oaks is also slightly different that white oaks. Once a tree is infected it declines fairly quickly.

Oak wilt or just about any other disease that kills trees doesn't affect how it turns so you ought to be able to turn the wood without any difference from turning healthy wood. If you are asking "should you", that depends on a lot of things like where did you get the wood, is it possible that the wood has any of the beetles that carries the oak wilt fungus and are there any oaks in your area that would be susceptible to spreading the disease. In Texas, it is illegal to transport oak from an area where oak wilt is known to exist. In your situation, if there is a possibility of spreading the disease, I would suggest burning the wood. For a definitive answer it would be a good idea to consult either a certified arborist or your county agricultural extension agent.

Bill, If I remember right from my BSA tng a live oak is in the white oak family. Whites have leaves with rounded lobes on leaves (no points). Reds hve pointed lobes on leaves. By the way in the white and red oak famlies there is a White and a Red by common name. Thanks for the disease info.

 

[hockenbery]

Bill, If I remember right from my BSA tng a live oak is in the white oak family. Whites have leaves with rounded lobes on leaves (no points). Reds hve pointed lobes on leaves. By the way in the white and red oak famlies there is a White and a Red by common name. Thanks for the disease info.

Most references include live oak with the white oaks.
A few break the oaks into red, white, live.

As turner live oaks are different. The live oaks have interlocking grain and a lot of resin that builds up on the bevel.
With interlocking grain live oak is the least likely of the oaks to split or crack.
The white oaks are usually straight grained and split easily. Thin white oak splits are woven into baskets.


I like turning live oak. Makes great natural edge bowls with interesting curves.
I often turn green live oak in ball demos. No dust and it turns nicely. The 3" balls dry into almost egg shape without cracking.
I have a vague idea for using them as elements in a sculpture

 

[Bill Boehme]

Most references include live oak with the white oaks.
A few break the oaks into red, white, live.

As turner live oaks are different. The live oaks have interlocking grain and a lot of resin that builds up on the bevel.
With interlocking grain live oak is the least likely of the oaks to split or crack.
The white oaks are usually straight grained and split easily. Thin white oak splits are woven into baskets.


I like turning live oak. Makes great natural edge bowls with interesting curves.
I often turn green live oak in ball demos. No dust and it turns nicely. The 3" balls dry into almost egg shape without cracking.
I have a vague idea for using them as elements in a sculpture

I have turned very little live oak, but my limited experience agrees with what you say. The green wood turns wonderfully. It clearly has interlocking grain and does not split. Once it is completely dry it is like turning iron. It was used on the USS Constitution (Old Iron Sides). The grain has a subtle beauty that I like. I also turned a fresh green piece of root ball from a live oak that blew over in a wind storm. The grain was really interesting -- almost like turning burl. I wish that I could get more live oak root ball, but they generally don't get blown down in a storm and I certainly wouldn't cut one down. Forget about waiting for one to die ... they can live for more than 1000 years.