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View Full Version : Yet another Identify The Timber thread



Grumpy John
29th May 2012, 03:24 PM
I've recently aquired a stash of logs that I was told were "a rare species of Pine". After collecting said timber and cutting up for bowl blanks I sent a few photos to Vern (TTIT) to give his opinion. First response was "it's definately not pine", most likely casuarina cunninghamiana River Oak/River Sheoak. I'm not doubting Vern, but he was not 100% sure because of the colour of the timber.
Today I cut up a piece on the table saw and took some photo's of it freshly cut, hopefully the colour is now more accurate.

Quite a tall tree.
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Small seed pods. The measurements are millimetres not inches.
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Bark ranges from relatively smooth to quite rough.
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Needle like leaves.
210125

All six sides of the freshly cut piece 125mm x 75mm x 35mm. The cut on the second photo was done on the bandsaw, hence the ripples. All the othe cuts were made on the table saw.
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Scott
29th May 2012, 04:20 PM
Looks like some sort of pine, maybe even a Cedar. What does it smell like?

fozz
29th May 2012, 05:15 PM
Looks very much like common garden variety sheoak or casuarina to me. They make great bonsai by the way.

turnerted
29th May 2012, 05:17 PM
A sheoke of some type.
Ted

Toymaker Len
29th May 2012, 05:23 PM
Yep, cassuarina. Make sure you seal the ends quickly and dry it very slowly preferably cut into smaller sections as it is a b.. to dry. Or maybe turn it wet then treat with detergent or microwave it.

tea lady
29th May 2012, 06:10 PM
Looks like some sort of pine, maybe even a Cedar. What does it smell like?Nah! Macro short of the leaves don't show very well, but long "spines" are kind of segmented along their length. :shrug:

Here is a link to Casuarina cunninghamiana (http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Casuarina+cunninghamiana).I don't think it looks quite right. :think: Seed pods too big.Although maybe they are just not mature. :shrug:

wheelinround
29th May 2012, 06:24 PM
Looks like most have it John but here another link Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina muricata, Australian Pine, Ironwood, Horsetail - TopTropicals.com (http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?number=5&find=Casuarinaceae&imagesonly=1)

dai sensei
29th May 2012, 08:27 PM
I'm with TTIT, Casuarina River Oak/River Sheoak.

powderpost
29th May 2012, 08:28 PM
Definitely one of the casuarinas. There is at least ten different species, each with different habitats.
Jim

jimbur
29th May 2012, 08:52 PM
Those medullary rays do look like casuarina.
Cheers,
JIm

mkypenturner
29th May 2012, 09:33 PM
thats a casuriana for sure , the seed pod is the same as on the ones growing in the sand dunes at my local beach , many years ago had a go on a slip'n'slide down a hill without a shirt on got a checkered pattern all down my chest :((

Scott
29th May 2012, 09:34 PM
Looks like some sort of pine, maybe even a Cedar. What does it smell like?

Hehe, you can tell I'm a Mexican hey?

tea lady
29th May 2012, 11:22 PM
Hehe, you can tell I'm a Mexican hey?:shrug: Well it is sometimes called "Australian pine". :U

brendan stemp
30th May 2012, 01:57 PM
Almost surely Casurina Obesa. Indigenous to a small area in NW Vic particularly around Mt Arapiles. I know this because I was given one to cut down and use. Turns very well. Colour a bit disappointing. Moves a lot when drying unlike other casurinas.

jimbur
30th May 2012, 02:16 PM
Almost surely Casurina Obesa. Indigenous to a small area in NW Vic particularly around Mt Arapiles. I know this because I was given one to cut down and use. Turns very well. Colour a bit disappointing. Moves a lot when drying unlike other casurinas.
Which side of the mountain?:D Couldn't resist that.
Cheers,
Jim

tea lady
30th May 2012, 06:11 PM
Prolly another local species that only grows at the top of western port bay. Only 6........ 5 left.:rolleyes::U

mick61
31st May 2012, 03:56 PM
in my costermons native trees the closest match is casuarina littoralis BLACK SHE OAK
Mick.:D

bowl-basher
31st May 2012, 06:37 PM
Looks very much like common garden variety sheoak or casuarina to me. They make great bonsai by the way.


:iagree::iagree:

Paul39
2nd June 2012, 09:43 AM
. Or maybe turn it wet then treat with detergent or microwave it.

I have had good luck with prone to split timber by rough turning while it is still soppy wet, immediately sinking in 1/2 detergent - 1/2 water for a week or two. I drain & rinse with clear water over the vat.

I let the surface dry then put it into the microwave and heat until it foams and / or steams, keeping an eye on the time. Open the door and let it air out. Repeat as soon as it cools a bit, or if in no hurry, when you think of it.

After several microwave sessions you can set it aside for weeks or months, then finish.

At first I would wrap the turning in several layers of newspaper and leave it in that for the whole microwaving and drying process. I tried a few pieces without wrapping and it did not seem to make a difference as to cracking.

If your house mate objects to cooking timber, buy a new one and take the old one to the shed, or get a cheap ugly one at a flea market or used appliance place. I have picked up a working one off the curb a time or two on trash day.

Even a dead one painted black and set in the sun will dry a rough turning.