{"id":2093,"date":"2016-12-04T04:00:25","date_gmt":"2016-12-04T09:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/?p=2093"},"modified":"2016-10-26T16:17:17","modified_gmt":"2016-10-26T20:17:17","slug":"redwood-burl-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/redwood-burl-bowl\/","title":{"rendered":"Redwood Burl Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Geographical Distribution<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Redwood is a term that I suspect many are familiar with but it is simply a common name that lack specificity.  To scientists, Redwood is known as Sequoia sempervirens<\/em>.<\/p>\n

S. sempervirens <\/em>is widely known as being one of the tallest tree species in the world along with being amongst the oldest living organisms on Earth.<\/p>\n

S. sempervirens<\/em> is EXTREMELY limited in its range. It is native only to a narrow coastal strip about 450 miles long, ranging from as little as 5 miles and up to only 35 miles wide, inland from the coast of extreme southern Oregon, along the Chetco River about 15 miles from the California border, to a southern terminus marked by a grove in Salmon Creek Canyon in the Santa Lucia Mountains of southern Monterey County, California. The majority of old-growth trees is confined to National and State parks in the far northern reaches of California and consists of less than 200,000 acres.  The old growth trees that remain in commercial forests will almost certainly be destroyed by logging within the next 20 years.<\/p>\n

S. sempervirens <\/em>has been successfully transplanted in several other parts of the world that have adequate rainfall and\/or dense fog accumulations to allow the species to survive. These locations include: New Zealand (where it has naturalized),Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia in Canada, middle elevations of Hawaii, Hogsback in South Africa, a small area in central Mexico (Jilotepec), and the southeastern United States from eastern Texas to Maryland. S. sempervirens<\/em> also does well in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia).  A group of display trees were even transported to Rockefeller Center in New York City, and then moved to East Hampton on Long Island where they have survived for over twenty years despite temperatures well below freezing in winter.<\/p>\n

For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to S. sempervirens <\/em>simply as Redwood from this point forward. <\/em><\/p>\n

General Characteristics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Perhaps not surprisingly, the color of Redwood heartwood tends to range from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown.  The highly contrasting sapwood is of a pale white to yellow color and is not considered desirable.<\/p>\n

On occasion, it is possible to find Redwood that features a curly figure although it is not possible to know if figure will be present before the tree if felled and processed.<\/p>\n

Redwood burl, sometimes known as “redwood lace” or “Vavona” is available.  As is typical of burl woods, Redwood burl is highly figured with swirling, twisting grain and many bud “eyes” present.  In fact, Redwood can propagate from burls if left undisturbed in the soil, usually several feet below the surface, where they are most commonly found.<\/p>\n

\"Redwood

Redwood Burl Interior<\/p><\/div>\n

The grain of Redwood is generally quite straight, although in figured pieces the grain may be wavy or otherwise irregular.<\/p>\n

Redwood features a coarse natural texture and a low luster.<\/p>\n

Redwood is rated a moderately to very durable in terms of rot resistance, although rot resistance tends to be higher in old growth timber as opposed to younger second-growth trees.  This high level of rot resistance influences some of the most common uses of Redwood timber such as in outdoor furniture, fencing, and decking.<\/p>\n

Redwood is also remarkably resistant to fire, to the extent that some credit for the end of the hugely destructive fires that followed the famous 1906 earthquake in San Francisco was given to the Redwood siding commonly found on newer houses.<\/p>\n

Working Characteristics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The vast majority of the time, Redwood is quite easy to work with both hand and machine powered tools.  However, Redwood is very soft and this means that it can be difficult to achieve smooth cuts, especially on lathe turned pieces, but such a soft wood also sands out smoothly very quickly and easily.<\/p>\n

\"Redwood

Redwood Burl Reverse<\/p><\/div>\n

It is possible to experience tear out during plane operations if the Redwood in question is highly figured with curly, wavy, or otherwise irregular grain, but this is a common problem with figured woods and suggested solutions such as very sharp cutters and modified cutter head angles are detailed by other authorities elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Redwood is reported to have a distinctive odor when being worked but it is not noted to be pleasant or otherwise.<\/p>\n

Pricing and Availability<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most all Redwood is sold as dimensional lumber and it is unusual to find turning blank sizes.  Burl pieces are more likely to be sold as turning blanks that is otherwise plain Redwood.<\/p>\n

When available, Redwood sells in the mid to upper price range for a construction lumber.  Pieces that feature figure or burl pieces such as would be of interest to wood turners will command considerably higher prices.<\/p>\n

In this blog, I almost always recommend several vendors with whom I have done considerable business and in whom I have great confidence.  These vendors are: West Penn Hardwoods<\/a>, Bell Forest Products<\/a>, NC Wood<\/a>, Got Wood?<\/a>, and WoodTurningz<\/a> of Indiana.  However, none of the fine vendors currently sells Redwood turning stock (West Penn Hardwoods does, however, have a small supply of Redwood burl).  Most all vendors of Redwood are located in northern California and I do not have any knowledge of these vendors whatsoever.<\/p>\n

I did do a quick search to see what I could find in terms of Redwood turning blanks but I am hesitant to promote those search results here because I have not direct experience of these vendors.  Anyone with access to a search engine can find the same information and vendors and then choose to take their chances.  I honestly no longer recall where I obtained my Redwood burl piece but I suspect it was part of a much larger lot of wood sold at a California auction some years ago.<\/p>\n

\"Redwood

Redwood Burl Exterior<\/p><\/div>\n

Woodfinder <\/a>is an excellent website that is dedicated to advertising wood dealers.  In your search for Redwood, this can be an invaluable resource provided you use multiple search terms to capture all the possible listings.  I can’t speak to the quality of any of the listed dealers, but Woodfinder does have the advantage of allowing searches to be performed based on location which might allow an interested buyer to visit a listed wood dealer in person to hand pick pieces at a comfortable price.<\/p>\n

A significant problem with using Woodfinder is that many vendors are listed for woods that, upon further investigation, they do not offer.  I don’t know if perhaps once they did and they didn’t update their listings or if some vendors use a standardized list of woods that include most everything conceivable with the idea that once you land on their page you will find something you want to buy even if you didn’t know it beforehand.  It happens to me all the time!<\/p>\n

Uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As mentioned before, most of the common uses of Redwood exploit its excellent resistance to rot.  Such common uses include construction lumber, beams, posts, decking, exterior furniture, and trim.  Redwood burl, along with other forms of figured Redwood, find use in veneer, turning blanks, musical instruments (guitar backs), and other small specialty items.<\/p>\n

Sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Redwood is not listed as being in any way threatened or endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices<\/a> but it is on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List<\/a>.  Redwood is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of approximately 40% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.<\/p>\n

To my knowledge, Redwood is not subject to special restrictions by any United States government agency provided that the wood is legally harvested and not poached from protected areas such as national or state parks.<\/p>\n

I realize that inherent in working with wood is the killing of a part of the natural world that may be slow to return and if I become deeply concerned about this fact, I will have to find a new hobby.  I hope that such a time does not come to pass or at least not any time soon.  In part because I am concerned about legally and responsibly obtained wood, I am reluctant to buy from sellers outside of well-established and known vendors.  I am highly unlikely, for example, to purchase any wood from auction sites, such as Ebay<\/a>, because of uncertain sourcing and documentation, as well as the potential, even likelihood, of material being misidentified in order to achieve a higher selling price.<\/p>\n

However, due to the commercial scarcity of some domestic woods, resorting to auction sites such as Ebay or Etsy <\/a>may be the only way to obtain some desirable domestic, or in some cases exotic imported, species that are not routinely commercially harvested.  The potential risks of buying in these marketplaces have to be balanced against the desire to work with a specific species of wood.  That is inherently an individual decision.<\/p>\n

I also realize that many, if not most, wood workers do not have endangered species lists memorized, therefore I think it worthwhile and important to do even a small amount of research before purchasing any lumber, domestic as well as imported, to be certain of the potential impact you are having, even in a small way, on threatened or endangered populations.  This information is easy to come by and takes only minutes to locate through any Internet search engine, including those you can access on your phone as you are standing in the lumber yard or store.  Unfortunately, you simply cannot count on a vendor to tell you a product they are selling is endangered.<\/p>\n

Health Hazards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Redwood is not known to commonly cause severe allergic reactions in users, but it has been reported as a sensitizer, which means that exposure to Redwood may cause a user to become more susceptible to allergic reactions in the future.  When negative reactions occur, they usually manifest as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.  Asthma-like symptoms are also possible.<\/p>\n

In addition, the long-term negative effects of exposure to sawdust of any species are well documented.<\/p>\n

It is important to remember that although many people may, or may not, be sensitive to any given wood, the only experience that truly counts is your own, so use reported side effects as guidance but not as a substitute for cautious and safe practices.<\/p>\n

Appropriate protective equipment is therefore always recommended when working with this, or any other, wood, exotic or domestic, unless you have worked with the species before and are certain you are not sensitive to it.<\/p>\n

Complete information about health hazards<\/a> associated with a wide variety of exotic hardwoods is available from The Wood Database<\/a>.  Additional information about how to best use a dust collection system and personal protective equipment, such as respirators, can also be found through this excellent and comprehensive resource<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, I experienced no negative side effects when working with Redwood.<\/p>\n

My Personal Experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I used a Redwood burl instead of a clear piece of Redwood but I don’t think that greatly impacted the experience of working with the wood although the finished piece certainly looks different due to the wild grain and bud eyes so prevalent in burl wood.<\/p>\n

The first thing I noticed was how incredibly soft the Redwood burl was.  This softness means that it cuts incredibly quickly but it also means that it cuts rough and fuzzy no matter how sharp the tools and how patient the user.  However, that softness also means that it was super easy and quick to sand to a smooth finish.<\/p>\n

The growth rings were quite distinct and cutting across those rings on a perpendicular angle is some interesting figure that creates hints of chatoyancy that I find very appealing.<\/p>\n

I tried something new and finished this piece with walnut oil mixed with a food grade wax.  This treatment imparts only a semi-gloss finish at best even after extensive high speed buffing so I am not 100% certain that I love the finish, but it does have the benefit of being completely food safe and highly water-resistant (which is not to say water-proof).<\/p>\n

I enjoyed this new experience of working with a Redwood burl and I wouldn’t be opposed to working with another piece, but Redwood burl is very limited in its availability, it tends to be quite expensive when you find it, and I am not certain that I want to contribute to the ongoing active decline of the species in the wild.  Given price, availability and sustainability constraints, this may well be a one-off experience in my wood turning life.  And that’s just fine with me too.<\/p>\n

As always, I wish all my readers a great experience in whatever their wood working interests happen to be and to those who like working with lathes especially, do a good turn today!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I tried something new and finished this piece with walnut oil mixed with a food grade wax. This treatment imparts only a semi-gloss finish at best even after extensive high speed buffing so I am not 100% certain that I love the finish, but it does have the benefit of being completely food safe and highly water-resistant (which is not to say water-proof).<\/p>\n

I enjoyed this new experience of working with a Redwood burl and I wouldn\u2019t be opposed to working with another piece, but Redwood burl is very limited in its availability, it tends to be quite expensive when you find it, and I am not certain that I want to contribute to the ongoing active decline of the species in the wild. Given price, availability and sustainability constraints, this may well be a one-off experience in my wood turning life. And that\u2019s just fine with me too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":175,"featured_media":2094,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[128,138,139,130],"tags":[154,262,171,181,183,200,210,221,239,240,247],"yoast_head":"\nRedwood Burl Bowl - Wood Turning Pens ..<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Redwood comes from a very small part of the western US coastal areas, is very soft, and very expensive but beautiful to work with especially burl wood.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/redwood-burl-bowl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Redwood Burl Bowl - Wood Turning Pens ..\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Redwood comes from a very small part of the western US coastal areas, is very soft, and very expensive but beautiful to work with especially burl wood.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/redwood-burl-bowl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Wood Turning Pens ..\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-12-04T09:00:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2016-10-26T20:17:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/Redwood-Burl-Exterior.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Wood_Pens\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Wood_Pens\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/redwood-burl-bowl\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/redwood-burl-bowl\/\",\"name\":\"Redwood Burl Bowl - 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