Christina Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I don't know the first thing about anything you said but I'm excited about your project nonetheless lol. Hopefully you can ask around and find a reputable place to get what you need made. I would be worried about safety myself....whether an adult or a child is using it. What does black locust look like? I've never even heard of that wood before...........nothing like letting my stupid hang out lol. But you never know unless you ask. Is it a really hard wood like oak? Thanks so much again for taking us along with you on your project! Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blame Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 here is a wiki article on the black locust, osage orange is the only thing that burns hotter and last longer in the ground then black locust http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinia_pseudoacacia one of the best characteristics of black locust is that it grows very strait, its not uncommon to see these trees grow to over 80ft tall but the diameter doesnt get very big around usually less the 20" here is picture of the leaf and a pic of the bark rough cut locust boards all pictures are property of the respective owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 You are sooo great............thanks so much for posting the pics and the link. Looks like really beautiful trees. We have loads of Osage Orange around here.............didn't know what that was either. I've only ever heard them called horse apple trees lol. I appreciate you! Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blame Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 the funny thing about black locust is its a legume its closer related to grass then it is the honey locust or European locust. like the wiki article said it falls under the pea family. work ability from my own experience it tends to dull blades rather quickly. but mills very smooth with a sharp blade. doesnt get the fir like most woods do either. when cut fresh it has a very green or yellowish tint exposure to uv degrades the color to a golden brown and within a few years turns it to a nice weathered gray. the tree it self was once seen as a nuisance since it reproduces very quickly not only does produce a seed pod but it travels growing from the root. the tree is best suited to grow as a cover crop for other trees or even corn . its a direct replacement for treated pine usually out lasting it next to the ground. its a very dense hard wood making it suitable for decking as well. needs to have pilot holes drilled into for nails or screws because it will split when seasoned. i dont like to turn black locust on a lathe since it dulls quickly but it does turn very nicely with sharp tools. on the scroll saw it cut moderately fast with an aggressive blade with little to no burning and very few firs the smaller blades tended to clog up on me. thanks christina i'm more then glad to share my knowledge of what i have gathered over my 20 years as a wood worker i spent alot of my time reading about native tree species(cuz i'm a tightwad lol). i use to do alot of hunting and always wondered about what trees are around me while walking and there best uses. its kinda one of my obsessions at one point i had over 40 native northern-missouri species in my collection but since lost it due to unseen events. where we are now(closer to the Mississippi) there is so much more out here. i cant wait for spring to see the buds and leaves and help my nephew learn to id the native trees Travis could you split this thread for me, move all post not obtaining to the lathe project. thanks blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Moderator's Note:This topic has been split from the original thread by request. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blame Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 thanks for splitting the post for me Travis blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAdams Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Here in the state park we live in. the state had the state forrest people come in and cut down every Black locust tree we had in park cause they had bugs or worms.i can't remember which .But they cut down awful lot of them.I don't Know. what they did with the wood after they cut the trees down.We have two honey locust trees in our yard. they don't have the long sharp thorns they just have the bean pods on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blame Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 In 1900 it was reported that the value of Robinia pseudacacia is practically destroyed in nearly all parts of the United States beyond the mountain forests which are its home, by the borers which riddle the trunk and branches. Were it not for these insects it would be one of the most valuable timber trees that could be planted in the northern and middle states. Young trees grow quickly and vigorously for a number of years, but soon become stunted and diseased, and rarely live long enough to attain any commercial value. thats really sad to hear but i'm sure it what was best. Honey Locust is one of my favorite species to work with it has some the wildest graining and very in tone from a cream white to browns to bright pinks. but also suffers from worm and bug damage but what a joy to work with blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Sorry I got your thread off topic..........but I sure appreciate the info. I have seen the trees with the bean pods just didn't know what they were. I guess I should invest in a good book to help me ID mine lol. Thanks again. Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yah, I wish I knew more about trees too. It would be really good to have a field guide so I can ID trees around the neighborhood. I think it would be interesting to just know what they were and a little about their biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yep Travis, I think so too.............not to mention helping you identify those you cut to use lol. I'd love to have a sawmill and planer some day. Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blame Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 as soon as i get some free time if you guys would like it i'll be glad to put together some links and info on native north american tree species. blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 That would be really cool Blame! I have an apple tree coming down this summer. I'll probably turn it into firewood, though. But I might save a chunk or two to dry. I really want to buy a lathe this year, so it would be nice to have a little wood left over to make a small bowl or something. Something to remind me of the sweet apples it produced, and the excess of leaves I had to clean up every fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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