Persimmon - Post 1 of 3

 

 

July 2012

 

Logs from a recently-cut Persimmon tree that died of old age.

(estimated at just over 100 year old) 

 

These were given to me by a local attorney

as a commission / challenge:

 

"Maybe you can make some candlesticks

or something else functional."

 

(The tree came from his grandparents' farm,

which has now been restored as his family's country house.)

 

The logs were cut with a chainsaw into short sections

roughly 12 inches long and half of the original 12" diameter. 

 

Using a bandsaw, the short sections

were then rough cut into round blanks. 

 

The rough round blanks were

turned on the lathe into bowl blanks.

 

  The turned bowl blanks were treated for bugs,

then prepared for drying.

 

The air drying process took 4 months. 

 

It should be noted that Persimmon is a very challenging wood

to work with because of its tendency to crack during the drying process. 

 

For this reason, bowls made of Persimmon are uncommon. 

 

 

December 2012

 

(see next post for more about these pieces)