What the *#&$ is maple nut?

[DMcIvor]

Hi Folks-

Just got some wood from a source near Grass Valley (Sierra Foothills), California. He and his father call this tree "maple nut." I didn't get to see the tree before it came down, so no leaves (it is a hardwood) for clues. The bark is relatively smooth, the biggest log I have is about 12" diameter (though I think the lower part of the trunk was larger still). The heartwood is a lovely warm brown (a shade lighter than elm) with bright white sapwood. Growth rings are pretty wide, but it was a yard tree.

Anyway, I google maple nut and get lots of useful information about cereal and other such things, but I still have no clue what this tree is. Anyone out there familiar with maple nut, and does it have other names, common or latin?

Thanks,

Don McIvor
Carson City, NV

 

[dkulze]

I'm guessing it's butternut.

Dietrich

 

[KenN]

Don,

I agree with Dietrich....so far.... I've done some cabinets with Butternut back when I was doing studio furniture (before the turning infection hit).
It's sometimes called "white walnut", is lighter brown than black walnut, but has very similar figure, texture, density, is open pore - like walnut, and it works like walnut. If your wood doesn't match this - especially if it's closed pore, you have something else. I've not turned it, but I'd expect it to turn like walnut, as well.

 

[underdog]

If I remember correctly, Butternut is in the same family as Walnut.

Both have a tendency to release stuff toxic to other plants. Many gardeners have to either move their garden, or remove the tree.

It's a shame that a Butternut came down. (If that's what it is.) Please make good use of it. It's somewhat endangered. I've tried to locate some from our suppliers, but haven't had much luck.

It's a beautiful wood that Chip Carvers pay good money for.

 

[Gretch Flo]

Butternut

The butternut I've turned (trees from Mass), is lite in weight, beautiful in color(med to lite brown), and tears somewhat (some parts looks like shredded wheat!!!), but sands away well. Gave my daughter and son-in-law a large salad bowl and 7 fairly large individual bowls (ran out of wood for the 8th!!). After 3 years they still look like when I gave them to them. Gretch

 

[underdog]

How about a picture of the wood? Bark, endgrain, side grain, whatever. Can't tell much by the description.

 

[hcbph]

Here's some info on Butternut: http://www.butternutwood.com/grades.html
I've worked with it and it looks like the grain of Walnut (believe they are related) though it seemed softer. Harder to turn and get crisp surfaces than walnut. It's been referred to a faux walnut (among other things).

 

[woodwish]

Maple nut is one of my favorite cereal flavors, thought it was only real in the world of Kellogs 😀 Does the wood taste the same as the cereal?

If you think it may be butternut, and you know any woodcarvers let them look at it. Butternut is second only to basswood for woodcarving. Tends to be a little less "fibery" than basswood so it should turn better, also has more character.

 

[DMcIvor]

Butternut/maple nut

Sounds like everyone is firmly headed down the butternut road, and at this point I'd have to agree. I've cut it all into blanks, and my first thought, even before I posted here, was This is the lightest walnut I've ever seen... .

I should have guessed butternut, but it's been years since I've seen any. Long before I took up turning I cut a butternut down by mistake (this was in Virginia) for firewood! 😱 I still feel bad about it almost 20 years later. I did manage to salvage a little of that tree for woodworking, though.

I have no idea why this tree had to come down. There is some rot in the pith, so it may have had some health problems. I will do my best to honor the wood and make the best of what I lucked into! I have a bowl corer and can make the supply go even further.

Thanks to all for weighing in.

Don

 

[Gretch Flo]

Butternut

Hope the pics come thru. They are not on my preview, but are in the box under additional options. Not sure if they automatically get within the text as the instructions say 🙁
This is a lg individual salad bowl size. Note the wavy rings which is typical of the butternut I have turned. Gretch

 

[MichaelMouse]

My memory of Grass Valley from my days stationed at Beale were that you rolled your windows up as you drove through so you wouldn't flunk a possible random drug test. Now there are a lot of affluent types building out there, and changing the landscape.

Picture worth a thousand, but there were all kinds of nut trees as well as the other kind of nut up in Grass Valley years back. Some varieties of Juglans (walnut and butternut) have very pale wood, and would have been easily available from orchardists in Marysville/YC area. Needn't even be a walnut, actually. Almonds, pistachios, experiments of all sorts of nuts in search of a buck going on in the area.