Sorry state of walnut logs

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

Tom Dunlap

My first trip to the Olympic Peninsula in WA was in '77. The log trucks were loaded with three logs for the most part. A few had only two and the same with four.

Over time I've been out there four more times. The last visit was in about 'o2. By this time the same long bunk log trailers that used to haul three sticks were now loaded with pecker poles. Uncountable numbers of trees. Not many were trunk wood either. Most had to be delimbed, not trunks.

The forests are gone for the most part.

Like Bill observed this is bad for seed production. This isn't a unique situation in most forests of the world. I don't see any easy or simple solutions. going further, for me, would drift towards politics.

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

John K Jordan

Going downhill fast.

I guess I should pick up walnuts and throw them through my own woods and maybe elsewhere. I easily could fill a 55 gal drum. Most are at the edges of fields and road so no saplings ever get a chance.

JKJ

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

Barry Irby

I was recently offered some walnut trees. the owner wanted them gone and the tree company wanted me to buy them for enough money to pay for the removal. They had thirty trees. Only five were over 20" and none over 24". I offered to take the five, but the others were all 12" and smaller and I said it was a shame to cut them and they would not yield any wood useful to me, let the grow. They are waiting for the owner to get enough money together to pay for the removing the rest. And they are in an area quarantined for Thousand Cankers Disease. I checked with local authorities on safe handling.

There was one magnificent walnut that would be 48" plus, but they liked that one and did not want to let it go.

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

Meanwhile, as I drive around our community, I see many trees being cut down in private and public places that would be suitable for lumber (and some that obviously would not be suitable). Will the suitable trees be cut for lumber? The vast majority will be ground up for mulch. I suppose urban trees are deemed less efficient for the lumber industry. Sad.

T.

Urban trees may be full of nails/screws/gun lead

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

ebd

Wouldn't use walnut for mulch unless I wanted to make everything mulched dead.

Re: Urban trees may be full of nails/screws/gun le

Bruce, a MN Galoot

I had to scarf a piece of walnut for a table, and when I cut into it, I found about a dozen #7 shot pellets inside. At first I thought I hosed my band saw blade, but they were non-magnetic so I smashed one with a hammer.

Re: Sorry state of walnut logs

JohnV

Been a lot of discussion on here about walnut grindings for mulch. I and many others have used walnut mulch for years with no ill effects. The growth inhibiting compounds are exuded by the roots as natures way to reduce competition near the trees. Wood chips don't seem to have these compounds. Just don't use it for horse bedding though as other compounds can be toxic to equines.

Not trying to cause desension, but pointing out that it is not a clear no-no.

Does anybody know...

Ellis Walentine

... if Thousand Canker disease affects the lumber of black walnut trees? Our farm in PA, which is on the market right now, and in an area where the disease has been spotted, has probably a hundred or more mature walnut trees ranging from a foot and a half to over two feet in diameter. I'd like to know if the wood will still be viable after the tree becomes infected or dies.

Haven't done much homework on this one yet, but maybe someone here has...

Ellis

Don't know...

Clint Searl

what they are, but I think there are restrictions (quarantine?) on harvesting/selling walnut in our area.

Wood not affected

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I attended a seminar on this topic a couple of years ago. As I recall the bug eats the cambium layer and the fungus it carries kills this layer, thereby killing the tree. Again, as I recall, bark-free walnut will not transmit the bug.

Re: Wood not affected

Barry Irby

I did what passes for research on the topic. Was told the disease does not affect the wood but may kill the tree.

Was told I could move it anywhere I wanted inc=side the quarantined area, but not out. And if I could cut it and cut away the bark and have it kiln dried, it could go to market anywhere. Some seemed to think the infection is dwindling. Did not seem terribly excited. Also advised cutting the trees after the first hard frost to help kill off the adult insects.

I started by calling the Forestry Dept. at VA Tech. Then the Federal Dept. of Forestry, and they referred me to the Dept of Agriculture for the final word. Thought it was interesting the Dept. of Agriculture was more interested than Forestry. Your tax dollars at work. Or not.

There is a tree service guy across the street form the office. I see load after load of hard wood passing through his yard. Rumor has it he sells it to local lumber yards. I see enough wood to keep all of us busy forever. Urban stuff.