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Upper Micigan Ironwood

Marc Himes

Marc Himes

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
52
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17
Location
negaunee, michigan
I recently have obtained several 8-9 inch logs of a tree we call Ironwood. It has very narrow growth rings and is a very dense wood. I don't know if it is related to the Iron Wood that grows in the southwest, but it is unusual to see such a tree be more than 6 inches in diameter up here. Do any of you have expeirience with this wood? Do you have any suggestions about preparation, drying, etc.

Thanks.
 
Marc, I don't have any expierience with turning it (I'm a newbie) but I did live in Delta County (Upper Peninsula)for 22 years and we used a fair amount of it for firewood. It sure made a good fire and lasted a long time. Good luck with turning Ironwood and post some pics when you are done with it.
 
Steve; Its nice to hear from another "yooper" turner. I just turned a piece green, and it turned well. It has a brown heart wood and light sap wood with a little bit of figure. I will let you know when it dries. It seems to check very quickly so I wouldn't be suprised if cracking is a problem.
Thanks for the reply. I get down to Escanaba on occaision perhaps we could get in touch.

jmarchimes@charter.net
 
Hop-hornbeam. Ostrya virginiana is the binomial. Makes great mallets (PEG) and tool handles, though the heartwood has the same tendency soft maple has to run to a million tiny stress cracks. In the trade, it's generally thrown on a stack of hard maple if a tree big enough to be used as a sawlog can be found. Since it holds even dead branches until well overgrown, it doesn't make high-grade planks.

Finishes like glass.
 
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Thanks for the info. It does remind me of soft maple as I have turned a few pieces of that wood too. I plan to let it dry waxed and bagged. I am still learning on every piece I turn, so if practice is all I get, I still come out ahead. If I get a nice bowl I will post a picture.
Thanks again.
 
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