|
Tree
Conversion and BBQ held on 16th June, 2011
Our
committee decided to buy a tree, get it converted to useable sizes
for turning and sell it to the members. The beech tree was believed
to have fallen in the hurricane of ’87 so as it had lain for some
20 plus years some spalting should have occurred. Spalting of the
wood is caused by the interaction of several fungi and produces
attractive dark patterns in the wood. Andy Toms, a Woodland and
Wetland Restoration professional kindly offered his services to
convert the tree and give a demo to the members.
Andy’s
transportable sawmill was set up at Martyn’s Wood in Newchurch
where the turners and families gathered to watch. The mill was a
tracked swivel saw that could cut both vertically and horizontally.
The 20 inch blade which only had 6 teeth was powered by a 24 HP
engine. This kit made short work of the tree which was very soft in
places! Most people got a liberal dusting of wood chips. Some of the
younger family members helped rescue the escaping livestock between
the cuts. The long planks were chain-sawed into manageable lengths
and then the hard bargaining with auctioneer John N. began!
Following
this excitement we were all treated to a BBQ in the Church Hall with
excellent burgers and bangers cooked by Mike and served up by “Mrs
Mike” and her team. Tea and delicious scones finished off an
interesting and enjoyable evening.
|

|

|

|
| The tree conversion
begins. No underdog just one
topdog! |
Push Andy! We all got
sprayed with chips so stand well back! |
Our tree trunk is
getting smaller. |
|

|

|

|
| Guess that’s my piece! |
Now, how am I going to
get that home? |
The bargaining for the
best bits begins. |
|

|

|

|
| Our commander-in-chief
in control of the cooking. |
BBQ in the warm church
hall. |
Time to load up and
home. |
|

|
|
|
A close up of the
spalted beech. |
|
What
spalted gems will our members create?
|