Thread: Splints for chair seats

I'm not aware of any of our native trees being suited as shaker chair splints.
The essential qualities of the underbark that the shakers used would be that it remains intact and pliable when dry and not be prone to shredding or delaminating.

I live in a bush and have looked at various barks for similar use.
There seems only 2 practical choices
Import suitable stuff or use cotton, linen, rawhide or cane.

Got a vague idea some shakers used a woven rush.

Thanks Bob,

When you say you have looked at various barks, what exactly have you done? Have you tried some?

I find it hard to believe that there is anything particularly special about say North American 'ash' inner bark that can't be found in Australia. Do you know anything about how it is manufactured? Is it taken as a radial ring, a vertical length, split like green timber etc?

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Robinson

Thanks Bob,

When you say you have looked at various barks, what exactly have you done? Have you tried some?

I find it hard to believe that there is anything particularly special about say North American 'ash' inner bark that can't be found in Australia. Do you know anything about how it is manufactured? Is it taken as a radial ring, a vertical length, split like green timber etc?

Tony

I have a vague recollection that dogwood has been used to make chair splints. It used to be used to make cray pots by the oldtimers because it split so straight. I think it was split when green and it retained its flexibility without splintering when the splints were dry. Don't know where you could get it now though..sorry!

Not basing this on any specific knowledge but on personal observation when dealing with some of the following trees
Robina (Black Locust)
Loquat
Privit (Now wouldnt that be ironic!)
Willow (Salix sp)
Worth a look anyhow.


Ross