Just a Pipe Dream...?

[SupaFoo]

Hello wonderful cue artisans! I hope that life is treating you all well

The thought occurred to me the other day that cues are made (mostly) from wood, and that wood comes from trees! (Shocking revelation, I know )

As it so happens, I planted a tree once upon a time - almost exactly 13 years ago, when I had just finished the 3rd grade (I'm graduating from college in a week! )

Being a college student, I'm not home often, and I'm actually quite far away from home as it is. The last time I went back, I noticed for the first time that the tree I planted as an 8 inch sapling was now looming over my 6 foot frame.

Now, this tree means quite a bit to me, as I have fond memories of feeding it plant steroids and watering it on a daily basis to get it through that first harsh year of New England weather. The problem is, being the 8 year old genius that I was at the time, I planted it right next to the fence gate to my backyard...

...and right under a phone line.

It occurred to me that this tree has no intentions of slowing down in the growth department, and will soon be cutting off both the entrance to my backyard as well as my home phone service.

My questions for the cuemakers in the house is: Is there any way that I could preserve this tree as a cue/part of a cue, or is it - as my title would suggest - just a pipe dream? How long would processing the wood take and what are the odds that the wood would suck/warp?

P.S: I believe the tree is some sort of dogwood - which I have never heard of being in a cue. I have absolutely no idea what variety of dogwood it is (or if it even truly is a dogwood), but I can say that the main trunk has grown to be pretty thick and straight. As I said, I planted the tree 13 years ago as a sapling, so I can't imagine that it is much older than 13.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Alan :thumbup:

 

[greyghost]

Hello wonderful cue artisans! I hope that life is treating you all well

The thought occurred to me the other day that cues are made (mostly) from wood, and that wood comes from trees! (Shocking revelation, I know )

As it so happens, I planted a tree once upon a time - almost exactly 13 years ago, when I had just finished the 3rd grade (I'm graduating from college in a week! )

Being a college student, I'm not home often, and I'm actually quite far away from home as it is. The last time I went back, I noticed for the first time that the tree I planted as an 8 inch sapling was now looming over my 6 foot frame.

Now, this tree means quite a bit to me, as I have fond memories of feeding it plant steroids and watering it on a daily basis to get it through that first harsh year of New England weather. The problem is, being the 8 year old genius that I was at the time, I planted it right next to the fence gate to my backyard...

...and right under a phone line.

It occurred to me that this tree has no intentions of slowing down in the growth department, and will soon be cutting off both the entrance to my backyard as well as my home phone service.

My questions for the cuemakers in the house is: Is there any way that I could preserve this tree as a cue/part of a cue, or is it - as my title would suggest - just a pipe dream? How long would processing the wood take and what are the odds that the wood would suck/warp?

P.S: I believe the tree is some sort of dogwood - which I have never heard of being in a cue. I have absolutely no idea what variety of dogwood it is (or if it even truly is a dogwood), but I can say that the main trunk has grown to be pretty thick and straight. As I said, I planted the tree 13 years ago as a sapling, so I can't imagine that it is much older than 13.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Alan :thumbup:

not sure how well it would work in a cue and it would have to be seasoned for some time, but im sure you could definately use it to make a nice luggage style case.

 

[blackpearlmaker]

first to tell you honestly, i've never heard that wood used for cuemaking..but i dont want to judge the wood since i did'nt see it personally..but if its not good for cue, how about an alternatives like furnitures? or even a case.
i'm pretty sure that wood has a better used for his purpose..

hope everything is ok..

Al

 

[Dave38]

If the tree is only 13 yrs old, it is, like any other 13 yr old, not mature enough, IMO. Good wood comes from older trees generally. Maybe moving the phone line and the gate may be a better idea if the tree means that much to you, as it seems to. Also do some research as to what type of dogwood it is, may help, as it will tell you how much bigger it may get. Most only go to about 20-25 ft. high. Usually the older a tree the better the wood from it. Just some food for thought.
Dave

 

[qbilder]

Dogwood is awesome wood. It's harder & heavier than maple & has a smoother texture as lumber. It will look similar to maple but have a slight pink tint to the wood. The problem with dogwood is finding something that it thick enough. I have cut dogwoods in the 8-10" diameter range before & it's very tough getting blanks from it that will work in cues. Fortunately, it's pretty stable stuff & will not warp or twist much, so as long as the piece doesn't crack as it dries, it'll work out just fine.

My reccomendation would be to have a 3' section of the base of the trunk set aside for you when it's cut. Take that section & immediately spray paint the exposed ends with some type of outdoor spray paint like you'd use on patio furniture. Let that section of log sit in the shed for 5-6 years & then begin searching for a cuemaker to build the cue. Any builder with a decent bandsaw will be able to handle the piece of wood & cut cue size blanks from it. Note that it likely will not be very attractive so it would be better if it's used as points and a butt sleeve, but it can certainly be a piece of a cue if it means that much to you & wouldn't be all to difficult to make it happen.