[norson]

(Not packaged by Wrigley)

My brother send me a 34" long crooked branch from one of his gum trees. It's quite a mess - very rough bark - not certain what I'm getting into, but I'd like to give it a go.

IF I'm going to use it as a cane I'll certainly have to add onto it with some other hardwood...but that's not the real challenge here...for I've accomplished that many times.

Q; What am I getting into here? Do any of you have any advice or suggestions?

Thank you

-neb

 

[gdenby]

There are two types of trees with the name gum where I live. They are Black Gum, aka Sour Gum, aka Tupelo, and Sweet Gum, which is only grown as an ornamental around here. I haven't worked w. either, but have looked up the characteristics in the Wood Database. From the description there, both kinds seem problematic. My guess from the pic is that you have a piece of Sweet Gum. The heart wood of that is supposed to be durable and strong. But the sapwood might have the gum resin which gives the name to the tree. Don't know how that responds to curing. That is, will it get hard and be water insoluble, or will it stay gummy for a long time and not take stain or allow other finishes on top?

 

[norson]

I spent more than an hour attempting to remove the rough bark last evening without much success - I am not encouraged. This piece needs rest . . . as does this OLD geezer.