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Any tips on plum tree wood?

Sjoeberg's picture

Any tips on plum tree wood? (post #169447)

Sjoeberg on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 14:28
in

My grandfather recently gave me a log from his old plum tree. I have no experience whatsoever whith any but the most comon of species, so any tips on how to make the best out of its dense, figured wood and rich, unique colour would be very appreciated.

-A +A
swenson's picture

Plum (post #169447, reply #1 of 4)

by swenson in reply to Sjoeberg [original] on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 07:24

Some kind of plum canker disease came through our town here in northern Virginia ten or fifteen years ago and everyone lost their ornamental plum trees. I made all kinds of kitchen utensils out of what I salvaged, mixing spoons, salad tongs, a huge chili spoon, two paddle spoons of my own design for mixing bread dough.  I even turned a little mallet used for beating Raman packages to break up the noodles.  All were finished at first with mineral oil. They have been wet and mistreated all this time and all look beautiful still. I never put them in the dishwasher though. That is my only experience with this beautiful wood, hope it helps a little.

Sjoeberg's picture

Now I have at least some idea (post #169447, reply #2 of 4)

by Sjoeberg in reply to swenson [original] on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 14:17

Now I have at least some idea of what to do and how to do it, thank you!

schooner1's picture

Beautiful wood (post #169447, reply #3 of 4)

by schooner1 in reply to Sjoeberg [original] on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 18:39

Plum is usually really vibrant wood, but tough to deal with. It loves to split.  When you cut it, take care to seal the ends, and dry it slowly. If you cloose to make treenware make them thin, to avoid the splitting. I am a woodturner as well as a cabinet maker, and love plum, but my best pieces have been the result of patience. Good Luck

Vern

Sjoeberg's picture

Seems promising (post #169447, reply #4 of 4)

by Sjoeberg in reply to schooner1 [original] on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 11:15

Thank you, I intended to use it for small turnings and inlays, so it sounds like it will work out well. By the way, do you know if the sapwood can be used for smoking food?