Good Bad News

[Shunyata]

Just lost a huge maple tree in my back yard to an ice storm.

Just realized that it is well figured fiddleback maple.  Looks like I am going to have a lifetime supply.  Trunk is over a meter in diameter.

[MANFIO]

Nice!

 

[Brian in Texas]

You lucky dog!

[Mark Norfleet]

I just measured one in my front yard that I’m thinking of taking down that’s just about that big.  Maybe I should make some basses with one piece carved backs! 

[Shunyata]

@Brian in Texas  Not sure lucky is the right word.  The tree damage to my property was severe.  Maybe call it a silver lining.
 

This video was shot a few miles from my home.  
 

 

[Mark Norfleet]

Oh!  You live in that area!  That area got hit REALLY hard!  Best Wishes!

 

[Shunyata]

@Mark Norfleet I was thinking I could actually afford to made a cello now!  Wood is expensive!

[Mark Norfleet]

1 minute ago, Shunyata said:

@Mark Norfleet I was thinking I could actually afford to made a cello now!  Wood is expensive!

Just take a midnight trip to the Hartwick Pines and you'll be all set!
It's too bad they cut all the other stuff nearby.

[Brian in Texas]

Oh dang! Yeah, that's pretty rough. I hope things shape up for you soon. Silver linings, indeed.

[Brad Dorsey]

1 hour ago, Shunyata said:

…Maybe call it a silver lining...

I call it a wind fall.

[Ron1]

I presume it's Silver Maple-  I have some highly figured pieces like that from one that fell in my yard about 20-25 years ago.  Does Silver Maple make for decent tone wood?

[Shunyata]

@Ron1  Actually is is sugar maple.

[JacksonMaberry]

Silver maple is kinda unpleasant to work in my experience. 

Sugar maple is also unpleasant to work, but for a different reason.

I don't favor either, personally, but both can work. As long as density and stiffness are in the zone, anything can be "tonewood", which I think of as a marketing term along the lines you'd expect from DeBeers or Exxon. 

[DarylG]

I would get to work on cutting and drying if you want to use it for anything other than firewood. I've seen some really nice maple lost to blue stain because the weather warmed up before the logs were processed.

[Mark Norfleet]

17 minutes ago, DarylG said:

I would get to work on cutting and drying if you want to use it for anything other than firewood. I've seen some really nice maple lost to blue stain because the weather warmed up before the logs were processed.

True!

Even if they are processed one has to be careful about how it’s stored.

[HoGo]

Yes, cut into wedges ASAP. Seal endgrain and put into place with good ventilation but not too much direct sunlight/heat. Good luck!

If you don't like sugar maple, just sell it to mandolin or archtop guitar makers and buy euro maple. :)

[Shunyata]

Will do!  Thanks for the advice!

[HoGo]

You can make sure to leave a new shoot from the stump to grow in the spring. In 100 years there will be new curly maple standing in the place for next generations.