Bunya tree (what interest?)

[joolstacho]

A mate of mine is about to fell a big, old, good Bunya tree, (est 1.2 metre girth 120 feet in height) and I'm wondering about what interest there may be for the timber.
(Nobody's interested in making bucks out of this, but if is there is some interest, I'll look into milling etc). The tree has been grown in Victoria and the arborist tells me that the tree has been nurtured and is potentially good quality because of cooler climate/slower growth than the native Queensland trees.
Any thoughts?

[Kim]

I am certain there would be interest but I think most everyone would need to see how clean and straight the grain is...I really like Bunya if it makes the grade for 'tonewood'

Cheers

Kim

[Graham Long]

Hi,
I'm in the process of making my first Bunya Guitar. Would definitely be interested, especially if the grain is tighter than the Queensland Trees.
Cheers
Graham

[ozwood]

As a Chronic W.A.S sufferer , I'd be up for half a dozen tops , if the grain was nice .

Cheers,

[MBP]

Would be quite some time until it was usable.

The faller and miller would have to know what they are doing, and have a good understanding of instrument timber not just sleeper and girders

[auscab]

After the tree is dropped and, If the timber looks good, would it be possible just to split it in to wedges long enough for tops and braces, coat the ends and sell them off like that ?
I would think milling a log for tops and braces is going to be harder and longer job,and splitting it like fire wood is the way it's done,
Is a Bunya a bit like a Norfolk island pine ? lots of branches ?

Have ya got ye a maul and froe ? Ive got a few ere ,arrrgh.

[woodrat]

I think that is a good idea Rob.

[Graham Long]

After the tree is dropped and, If the timber looks good, would it be possible just to split it in to wedges long enough for tops and braces, coat the ends and sell them off like that ?

That's better all round, the end user then decides the final size and use.

Has anyone ever used Bunya for an Arch Top?

[joolstacho]

Thanks for the input, all good points. I'll keep tabs on it and let you know how we go.
First thing will be to check it out when it comes down, and we'll need to decide what lengths to cut for transportation, and initial storage etc.
I'll be calling on the collective expertise soon I hope.

A few years ago I got a pair of bunya archtop wedges and was told they were from a lot that had been bound for Maton.

Jools

[willcall]

A mate of mine is about to fell a big, old, good Bunya tree, (est 1.2 metre girth 120 feet in height) and I'm wondering about what interest there may be for the timber.
(Nobody's interested in making bucks out of this, but if is there is some interest, I'll look into milling etc). The tree has been grown in Victoria and the arborist tells me that the tree has been nurtured and is potentially good quality because of cooler climate/slower growth than the native Queensland trees.
Any thoughts?

Get onto the http://www.woodworksforum.com.au
There are heaps of people who do mobile milling and would be interested.
There is a section in the timber section for milling and timber sales that would have some good advice for you.


Will