American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as American storax,[1] hazel pine,[2] bilsted,[3] redgum,[1] satin-walnut,[1] star-leaved gum,[3] alligatorwood,[1] or simply sweetgum,[1][4] is a deciduous tree in the genus Liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America. Sweet gum is one of the main valuable forest trees in the southeastern United States, and is a popular ornamental tree in temperate climates. It is recognizable by the combination of its five-pointed star-shaped leaves and its hard, spiked fruits. It is currently classified in the plant family Altingiaceae, but was formerly considered a member of the Hamamelidaceae.[5]
Sweetgum, AKA, the dreaded sweetgum, is popular here in the south, not to be confused with poplar here in the south.
It has an interesting history, and it appears in the fossil record all the way back to the Tertiary age. My understanding is that it survived here in North America because, unlike, say Europe, our mountain ranges tend to run more north and south rather than east to west, which allowed the trees to stay ahead of the glaciers during the last ice age. I also read somewhere that they are found in southeast Asia, too, for similar reasons, but that's about it.
They are dreaded here due to their seed pods, which are called gum balls. Spikey little boogers they are, too, and the wood, which is impossible to split for firewood due to alternating spiral growth, which also makes it very difficult to saw and dry flat boards from the logs. It's great for bowls, however, and it works like a dream.
Some sort of Aztecan flat faced eagle morphed into the Natul gods of our imaginary lord of the rings past... as we really don't have a clue, for the most part, anyway, so why not.
Nice bowl, Sixty. But at my age I'm not looking to add to the pile, its insurmountable as it is, that pile of existence. Funny, how the new deal is to leave little, deplete your existence so the living don't' have to deal with it. Sell my fucking beloved books, that's like tearing out my heart, so back to the Aztecs we go.
As for all of the answers - you are all correct. Every last one of you. Except maybe the Demon Richard Simmons response. That one might be off by a little bit, but who am I to say, right?
Actually, I meant especially the Richard Simmons response. Don't want to stir up any demons, nope, not me...
That is an excellent question and the answer is - I haven't done that with sweetgum yet, but I have done that with red oak, silver maple and maybe a couple of others. I tend towards keeping things simple - I cut a length off a log, roughly equal to the diameter of the log. Then I rip that round longitudinally, leaving me with two pieces which are roughly half a cylinder. Then I saw it round in plan view about half of the outside turning required to make a bowl is already done. Chuck it up and cut 'er loose!
20 comments:
A beautiful empty salad bowl. Nice!
Why thank you - and for a reasonable cost, plus shipping and handling, it could be yours. ;^)
What is the wood species?
I see two codgers arguing.
Chester A. Arthur in the bottom of the bowl.
Two mushrooms or tropical palms.... with the stalks joined together in the middle of the bowl.
Very pretty!
Sweetgum. you said so.
American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as American storax,[1] hazel pine,[2] bilsted,[3] redgum,[1] satin-walnut,[1] star-leaved gum,[3] alligatorwood,[1] or simply sweetgum,[1][4] is a deciduous tree in the genus Liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America. Sweet gum is one of the main valuable forest trees in the southeastern United States, and is a popular ornamental tree in temperate climates. It is recognizable by the combination of its five-pointed star-shaped leaves and its hard, spiked fruits. It is currently classified in the plant family Altingiaceae, but was formerly considered a member of the Hamamelidaceae.[5]
Not familiar at all.
Sweetgum, AKA, the dreaded sweetgum, is popular here in the south, not to be confused with poplar here in the south.
It has an interesting history, and it appears in the fossil record all the way back to the Tertiary age. My understanding is that it survived here in North America because, unlike, say Europe, our mountain ranges tend to run more north and south rather than east to west, which allowed the trees to stay ahead of the glaciers during the last ice age. I also read somewhere that they are found in southeast Asia, too, for similar reasons, but that's about it.
They are dreaded here due to their seed pods, which are called gum balls. Spikey little boogers they are, too, and the wood, which is impossible to split for firewood due to alternating spiral growth, which also makes it very difficult to saw and dry flat boards from the logs. It's great for bowls, however, and it works like a dream.
Now you just need the wooden spatula
Nobody would want to break that rice bowl.
Janus looking at himself.
Maybe.
American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as American storax,..
Styrene, good ni-ight
Styrene, good night.
Good night styrene,
good night styrene,
I'll kiss you in my dreams...
Some sort of Aztecan flat faced eagle morphed into the Natul gods of our imaginary lord of the rings past... as we really don't have a clue, for the most part, anyway, so why not.
Nice bowl, Sixty. But at my age I'm not looking to add to the pile, its insurmountable as it is, that pile of existence. Funny, how the new deal is to leave little, deplete your existence so the living don't' have to deal with it. Sell my fucking beloved books, that's like tearing out my heart, so back to the Aztecs we go.
It's a vase. No, wait...it's two profiles facing each other. Beautiful, just beautiful.
At first I thought it was a demon looking straight out at me, then realized it's Richard Simmons.
Thanks Deborah, I appreciate that.
As for all of the answers - you are all correct. Every last one of you. Except maybe the Demon Richard Simmons response. That one might be off by a little bit, but who am I to say, right?
Actually, I meant especially the Richard Simmons response. Don't want to stir up any demons, nope, not me...
Cool info about sweet gum being hard to split. Have you ever taken a diagonal cut of it and carved a bowl from the plane of that angle?
That is an excellent question and the answer is - I haven't done that with sweetgum yet, but I have done that with red oak, silver maple and maybe a couple of others. I tend towards keeping things simple - I cut a length off a log, roughly equal to the diameter of the log. Then I rip that round longitudinally, leaving me with two pieces which are roughly half a cylinder. Then I saw it round in plan view about half of the outside turning required to make a bowl is already done. Chuck it up and cut 'er loose!
Sneaky. So when you do that angled sweet gum, please make sure it has a burl or two.
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