Processing Tupelo for planks?

L

Lee L.

Active member
The family land has a large swamp on it that is full of old Tupelo. Some look like they are larger than six feet wide at the base. The family is all for me cutting how much I want/need and some of the family have even offered the use of heavy equipment and/or help getting the logs out. I was told I could use the barn in the feed lot to store the cut planks for drying. I am in the process of locating a mill to plank the logs. I know that I need to cut the trees down in winter but exactly when can I cut them? Within a couple weeks or do I need to wait until closer to spring? Are the older trees better than the younger trees?
Thanks!
 
Lee

The sap should be down when the leaves are gone. Dead of winter is good. Try and get the logs to the mill as soon as possible. What are the intended purposes for the wood? I know carvers like wood from the swollen base but after that railroad ties and pulp is about all I hear it's used for. Try and get the logs to the mill as soon as possible.
 
The wood will be used for mostly decoy bodies and some heads. Hope to get enough to last a lifetime. I already know about the lower bell being the best part for decoys. Just wasn't sure exactly when to cut it in the winter and if the age of the tree mattered. Thanks!
 
To prevent checking be sure to put a liberal coat of anchor seal on both ends as soon as it's cut.
 
The stump is the best part for carving, real corky. I have never heard of the rest being used for much more than cross ties.
 
The stump has sapwood in the large buttressing stump. This wood is sought after for carving. I use juniper, but the fellow I buy from cuts tupeo for carving as well. If you would like his number pm me. I'm sure he would be happy to help you with the correct process for harvesting and seasoning.

Frank
Middletonboatworks.com
 
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