Laburnum and Mulberry

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Jimmyjames

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Hi one and all,

I am a retired antique restorer / dealer and have been looking for Mulberry and Laburnum Oysters for sometime. I have several boxes that all require some restoration and need both Mulberry and Laburnum oysters (cross cut). Do any of you know of a source of these in either cut form or limbs?
Would appreciate any leads.
Regards,
Jimmyjames
 
Jimmyjames":2rcyjjbk said:
Hi one and all,

I am a retired antique restorer / dealer and have been looking for Mulberry and Laburnum Oysters for sometime. I have several boxes that all require some restoration and need both Mulberry and Laburnum oysters (cross cut). Do any of you know of a source of these in either cut form or limbs?
Would appreciate any leads.
Regards,
Jimmyjames


Neither Mulberry nor Laburnum are commercial timbers, which at a stroke rules out 90% or more of timber yards. Furthermore oysters are cut from branch wood, and branch wood isn't used for furniture or joinery boards, which further reduces the number of potential sources. Add in the common prejudice regarding Laburnum's toxicity and you're making a big ask!

The only timber yards that might stock them are those few remaining yards that are deeply rooted in the local market and plugged into local tree surgeons who will take down the occasional ornamental tree. I try and hold stocks of Laburnum as I make some traditional arts & crafts pieces which sometimes utilise Laburnum and Holly accent pieces and inlay. I'll normally head into the West Country for Laburnum, and I've found it at yards like these,

https://www.interestingtimbers.co.uk

http://www.cornwallhardwoodsupplies.co.uk

However, if you hunt around in your local area you'll eventually find equivalent yards closer to you. Another option is to canvass local tree surgeons, given that you're specifically looking for branch wood you might get lucky from a local pruning job. A final possibility is to talk to a local turning club, turners will sometimes use branch wood so there's a chance they may know of a supply or that a member may have something suitable that they'd be willing to sell.

Good luck!
 
What kind of diameter are you talking. I have a laburnum trunk I use for projects occasionally, might be a bit fat though for oysters.
 
Rorschach":3njjbl2r said:
What kind of diameter are you talking. I have a laburnum trunk I use for projects occasionally, might be a bit fat though for oysters.
I took a look at two of the boxes this morning, for those I need 2.5" to 4". It has to come from a branch which I cut at an angle to get the pattern.
However thank you for posting.
 
I thought it might help if i posted an image of the effect that can be achieved using Oyster veneers.
Oyster pattern.jpg
 

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  • Oyster pattern.jpg
    Oyster pattern.jpg
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It could be worth contacting Mike at MAC timbers. He runs a small scale timber yard specialising in unusual non-commercial timbers. Really nice bloke too.


http://mactimbers.com/
 
Jimmyjames":1e6vauhs said:
Pete Maddex":1e6vauhs said:
Mac Timbers 14th October 2017 about tea time.

Logs by pete maddex, on Flickr

Pete
Hi, I can see the Mulberry which look a good diameter. Do you also have Laburnum?
I will try and contact you tomorrow.
Regards,
James

Hi James
It’s my photo taken at MAC timbers I am only a customer.

Pete
 
dickm":2uj5rpcj said:
I've got quite a lot of laburnum in those sorts of sizes, air dried, but carriage from Aberdeen would probably be prohibitive
Thank you for getting back to me. If you could give me the quantity and approximate dimensions of the pieces you have I could work on the shipping cost.
I am not sure if we are allowed to add our contact information on this site, if you could let me know if we are?

Regards,

James
 

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