holly logs - any good?

[andersonec]

If you fell a large Holly tree and leave it in shortish lengths, it will split in numerous places rendering it virtually useless. For turning blanks it needs to be cut length-ways and the heartwood removed, seal the complete piece and store it in a dark, cold place, do not store it in a warm or hot environment. If it is planked, seal the ends but the heartwood must be removed otherwise it will split and cup no matter how much weight is applied. Leave it outside and it will turn almost black and go mouldy, thin branches can be utilised for small decorative items such as knobs, finials, pen blanks etc. but the heartwood must be removed asap. This tree is best felled in the winter.

Andy

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It's very difficult to keep white, so you might be better off accepting that it'll spalt a bit if just left in a woodpile.

 

[Gerard Scanlan]

All the specialist timber merchants I have asked for holly have told me that it is not commercially viable. I know that there are a lot of people interested in small amounts for inlay work. The advice about sealing, removing the heart wood and leaving it to dry very slowly in the dark is good advice. I reckon you will have something that is a lot more valueable as a trade than trying to sell it for cash in a few years time.

 

[KimG]

Good for finials too.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Apparently a lot of black chessmen used to made from holly, as it was a lot cheaper than box, easy to turn and ebonize. A bit of discolouration wouldn't matter once ebonized.

 

[andersonec]

Forgot to say previously, if you have access to a kiln and fell it, cut it and get it in the kiln all on the same day you stand a very good chance of keeping it white.

There have been many attempts at keeping it white but the general consensus is there is something in the sap which discolours it so if you have the facilities to boil it for some time immediately after felling it and cutting it up (withing the hour) try that, again it must be stored in a dark cold place.

Andy

 

[Cheese]

Thank you for your advice. I am not in a position to do any of the above so I will probably log it. If anyone is interested in it I am on the devon/dorset boarder 1 mile from Lyme Regis.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Cheese,
If you can wait a month or two you will get much better results because the sap will be lower and it will be less likely to grey.

HTH
Jon

 

[Draygore]

I'd take some off your hands, but it be mighty long trip.

This was felled in the middle of summer, turned a couple weeks later. A wonderful wood to work with.

 

[bassethound]

Nice looking piece!

 

[BRYAN]

I had some holly converted and read in a book on converting that storing vertically keeps it pale in colour.
It stayed pale but skook like boogery. It was good for making egg cups and took well to marking with wire to produce coloured grooves
near to rim.