gnarly, crochety magnolia

[larrynj1]

i did some serious pruning to a very old magnolia tree in my yard recently. i saved some branches that vary from about 3 to 4 inches wide and 2-4 feet long, lots of crotches. is this worth hanging onto to sticker and dry? what size(s) should i trim it down to for use as cue wood ?

 

[paul fanelli]

magnolia wood

Hi Larry
Unless the wood you cut is from the trunk of a straight growing tree, it will not be structurally useful. Wood taken from branches is "reaction wood" and had been fighting gravity all its life. It will never quite relax from the stress releif of being cut, and cannot be trusted to stay straight. However, if the wood is visually appealing, small pieces of it could be used in a cue as inlays, and maybe even points or a butt sleeve.
BTW, like your work in Inside Pool.
paul

 

[larrynj1]

thanks paul,

i was thinking the same thing, butt sleeves, that type of thing. i'll toss it under the porch and call you in a couple years about it.