Reasonably urgent advice needed.

**Rusty** · 18th April 2005, 06:14 PM

G'day, all;
Nearly 30 years ago I was given pemission to buy a seedling of a "small" gum tree for Arbour week (I think). Naturally I ignored the small part and bought a tall one, which I duly planted at the bottom of the backyard.

With the passing of my Father early this year, Mum has decided to make some changes, and this tree is on the list. In fact it's at the top of the list and is being brought down now.

I requested that a log or two be spared for future furniture making, which is fine with the tree bloke. However an interfering relative has seeded doubt as to it's suitability. The council bloke identified it as Blue Gum, (e.globensis?? spelling:confused

and I thought it'd be okay, if not ideal. I don't know if I'll ever get another chance to use timber from a tree I've planted, unless I start planting now..

Whaddaya reckon? 28 yr old blue gum ok for general use? The trunk and main branches come down tomorrow.

Hate to be dramatic, but..

Thanks,
Rusty.

**ozwinner** · 18th April 2005, 06:26 PM

I think you will find blue gum splits like crazy when it dries.
Good for firewood though.

Al :eek:

**Wood Borer** · 18th April 2005, 06:34 PM

Rusty,

I think you will find there is more than one type of Bluegum. The Sydney Bluegum is OK for furniture but the Southern Bluegum is more suitable for pulp in the paper industry. I understand the current trend of planting Bluegums is planting Southern Bluegums.

Personally I would mill it and discover for yourself if it is OK or not. Sometimes people confuse suitablility with machinability. You may find it is worth the extra effort of perservering if the tree means something to you.

What is the worst outcome?

**Rusty** · 18th April 2005, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the replies. I googled southern blue gum and came up with euc. globulus, which is the name I was trying to remember. Used mainly for pulp, but I might give it a go. As you say, WB, what is the worst outcome?

So it's furniture or firewood! Hurrah!

BTW, a condition for the felling permit was that another tree be planted, stay tuned for another post like this- in thirty odd years.

Cheers,
Rusty.

**Wood Borer** · 18th April 2005, 07:02 PM

And I wonder what we will be debating/discussing then?

Power tool users will be considered as Dark Siders and Virtual Cyber Tools that can be downloaded after paying for the software licence will be the go?

Some people will have pirated virtual tools!

Some of us will be pushing up daisies and others will be dribbling and rambling - still!

**ozwinner** · 18th April 2005, 07:06 PM

Come on Rob, I thought we cured you of the dribbling thing!!

Al

**Rusty** · 18th April 2005, 07:10 PM

Trees will be genetically engineered to grow into the shape of the item required. Daryl Somers' evil clone will be PM. Bands of renegades will live in the outback under foil domes...

**Sturdee** · 18th April 2005, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

Power tool users will be considered as Dark Siders and Virtual Cyber Tools that can be downloaded after paying for the software licence will be the go?

Wb, what are you going to do with those planes that you are collecting if there will be only power and cyber tools.

Maybe my workshop will finally be finished.

Peter.

**Zed** · 18th April 2005, 08:01 PM

lumber it up and build a memorial to your dad. what do you have to lose except some time ?

**derekcohen** · 18th April 2005, 08:03 PM

OK children, settle down ...

Rusty, it seems that the tree has some sentimental value and you'd like to use it some way to remember your father. Nice thought. Well, if Blue Gum is not suitable for furniture, perhaps it is still fine for smaller items, such as handles for chisels, hammers, etc. Either turn or carve it into the desired shape, or put it aside for the day when you have the skills/tools to do so.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**glock40sw** · 18th April 2005, 08:37 PM

G'day.
Southern Blue Gum (E. Globulus) will be good for furniture etc if dried slowly.
It also likes to have the ends sealed ( use BP Log End Sealer, available from BP depots).
The stack will need weights on top while it dries.
The other Blue Gum (Sydney Blue Gum) is E. Saligna.

Hooroo.
Regards, Trevor
Grafton

**outback** · 18th April 2005, 09:05 PM

Plenty of us renegades out here now. We don't need to wait 30 yrs.

**Different** · 19th April 2005, 01:17 AM

Firstly I agree with everything Derek says above .
But from a "Lumber " perspective and despite the considerable appearance of the tree at 30 years of age it is but a baby and will likely not yield timber of much interest or stability.Better to starve it of water and give it a prevailing wind and on another 150 years you should get some nice timber from it.

Ross

**AlexS** · 19th April 2005, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by ozwinner

Come on Rob, I thought we cured you of the dribbling thing!!

Al

He had a relapse last Thursday

**Wood Borer** · 19th April 2005, 11:41 AM

Very observant Alex, I am working on it like Al suggested but the Sydney air must have interfered with the elixir tonic Al concocted for me.

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