Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 10:41:08 -0500
From: Karl Kulp <kulp0001@tc.umn.edu>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: [baidarka] RE : Grain?
John Reynolds wrote:
> >Lew
> >
> My reply: the paddle has grain similar to many canoe paddles, where the
> grain runs straight through with no runout on the shaft. As I
> laboriously
> whittled, a nice wavy design has emerged on the paddle face where I've
> planed down. I don't think I'll have a problem with any breakage there.
> I'd
> have to say that the grain, as seen from the end, is mostly vertical.
> The
> board was cut from the middle of the tree, near as I can tell... I
> wonder
> now if the middle may contain softer wood and hence be weaker.
> <SNIP>
>
> The "Heart" of the tree is the most dense part of the tree. Heartwood is
> generally much sought after. This is why heart pine goes for such high
> prices.
>
> John Reynolds
Heartwood is also where the decay resistant chemicals accumuluate as the
tree gets older.
That's why new redwood fence posts and the like aren't really all that
resistant, they're cut as younger trees these days.