Apple!

[Les Symonds]

Anyone out there had any experience of working/seasoning fresh apple? I've just acquired a tree with multiple trunks around 1ft diameter and a trunk base/cluster that's about 2ft diameter.

Is it best dried first....does it work well from wet and then dry ok afterwards?

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

Les

[bodrighywood]

You know my work so understand what I am saying. Turn it green and leave in a warm place to 'mature' e.g reshape, twist, split etc. Apple usually has amazing graining and colouring so the best way of using it IMHO is to go for the Wabi Sabi approach. Fruit wood in general can split all over the place so turning it first ( start at the top and work quick as it can distort as you turn) gives you a really natural effect. This one was turned green and had such a big orifice (love that word) that it didn't move much but it shows the grain, the colour and the general distortion that occurs naturally.

[Les Symonds]

Pete...I just knew that you'd be the 'market leader' on answers to this question. I remember this piece and do, as you say, know your work. Your advice sounds great. I can stack the timber in the garden, under a couple of dense conifers, and get to work on it right away. Much more fun than all that pains-taking seasoning....let's get started!

Les

[Eric Harvey]

I`ve had alot of fresh apple to work with,its turns really lovely green and seasoned,the green stuff does move alot when turning,and if you have a shop microwave to dry it after turning it moves even more,I`ve found even seasoned stuff I have if its big still moves quite alot when the stresses are relieved by the turning,so either way you`ll get an interesting piece whichever way you decide to turn it up,cheers,

Eric.

[John]

Hi,
I really like turning apple.
See my post      
"With apologies to Stuart Mortimer" Last January 17th
John

[seventhdevil]

i agree with the others rough turn then season...

get some 1' bowls out of each half rough them to 1" thick and seal them in pva to slow drying even further unless you like cracks...

[Les Symonds]

The apple tree arrived today - to think that I went to fetch it with a 4ft x 3ft trailer and a roof rack on my Freelander. Not a hope!

It stands 10ft (3 metres) high, and the main branch is also 10ft long, with the diameter of the stump/lower trunk being about 19inches.







Time to put the thinking cap on!

Les

[woodndesign]

Les, should be a few fine crotch bowls out of this one, besides a lot of other pieces.

From the stock graft looks like it had been a dwarf tree, could it have been Bramley.

Well you're likely to turn something nice out of it.

Cheers Dewi

[Bryan Milham]

Les,

Pete says he uses old growth fruitwood for his Wabi Sabi pieces, looks like you've some now as well.

Another interesting journey then...

[Graham]

I think I am becoming psychic. I foresee some interesting turnings coming up.

[Les Symonds]

....the trouble is that I'm not physically up to cutting that thing up at the moment....the doc would go nuts if he got wind of me chain-sawing something as big and awkward as that. On the other hand....if I can get a mate to cut it into manageable pieces!!!!!

Les

[Graham]

You dropping hints Les ? If I was a bit closer......

[Les Symonds]

You dropping hints Les ? If I was a bit closer......

...come on....I'll give you a big lump for your trouble!
 ...Les

[bodrighywood]

You should get some really interesting pieces from that, looks like it has a good coloured heart wood which will make those crotches worth using as decorative pieces. Don't cut it any smaller than you have to when storing it and hopefully you will avoid too many nasty splits.

Pete

[Les Symonds]

Cheers, Pete....do you think it's worth painting the ends of stuff this big?

Les