Thread: Another "mistaken identity" turning timber

Hi everyone,

A few days ago, I went to see my vehicle mechanic (30km away) for a vehicle service appointment + a few other "noises" I wanted him to identify, and while he was having a look at the vehicle with the engine still going (outside), I spotted a pile of wood 30 meters away on a open patch near a large pile of black ashes. After he finished looking and with the engine now off, I asked, "what sort of timber have you got out there, in that pile?) he said "pine!". I went and had a look, cause it didn't look like pine to me at that distance, I didn't have to get far to see that it wasn't pine but, what was it?. Got closer and moving some of the small logs around, I still wasn't able to identify the timber but I could see that has been cut a long time ago (very dry), with the timbers seating on the ground already getting rot, still lots of logs were looking promising for turning. I walked back to the mechanic and said, "that ain't pine, where did you get it from?" he said, " from the neighbour next door", pointing the finger to a place about 60 meters away!. I could see lots of pines, but that wasn't one of them for sure.
I asked if I could have some (about a full small trailer all together), he said, " but that is my firewood for the get together with my mechanics after work!" OK I said, no problem, I get as much as I can in the back of the waggon now, don't burn any more of it, I will bring a trailer full with a mixed firewood (pine-gum) load, on the 19/11 (day of the vehicle service), unload it on that spot and take the rest of the mastery timber back in the trailer, "is that OK with you?", I said! he replied, "yeah, that should be ok, is only firewood...!).

Is still a bit there, but I believe I got the best logs from the top, and from what I could see, that was a large tree, half has been burnt already (some of the biggest pieces...).

I split the logs in half when I got home and put them away (stored safely), kept the single piece (fork) out for some testing, and turn it into a bowl this afternoon. Got it in the shed with a coat of sanding sealer drying, and I can tell you, wow...! you will see when I finish it tomorrow!

In the mean time, see if you can tell what it is. It looks similar to the Cork tree I know, bark (all lose, comes out in one big piece) & timber but, I don't know if they exist here in Australia, what I know if that if was cut in the SA - McLaren vale area, and about those "spikes" all over the outerskin?)

PS: I could have only written, what is it? but I tough the story behind was interesting!.

Cheers
RBTCO