Beau allen Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Hey guys, I’m looking for some advice from those who have much experience in the lumber/woodworking world then I do since I am just a hobbyist. I live in south Florida and have been collecting and milling exotic woods that grow as planted yard trees. Mostly Cuban mahogany (actually native to Florida), rosewood, mango, and monkey pod. All of these trees are “urban salvaged” from storms and normal removals. I have started to ask around and sell some large mahogany slabs that I have. I would hope to think there would be somewhat of a demand for these exotic woods that are sourced domestically and sustainably but I’m not sure. Do you guys think I could ever develop a market for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom King Posted December 1, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 No. I'll drive the 1,000 miles down there, with a trailer, and get them out of your way. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 I am not an expert on milling but I do think you would develop more of a market for you lumber if you were to take the time to mill so that you can actually offer some nice furniture grade lumber. Just slabbing the trees up is going to keep you in a pretty limited market. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 You certainly could, but my experience working with an arborist who runs a lumber mill on the side tough me that the amount of metal you find thin urban trees makes them nearly unable to be sold to the public so you have a niche market if guys who can mill rough to dimensional and are willing to gamble with metal. I've hit a long nail in a log that didn't even show up on the meter when we knew it was there, after ruining a blade. Another consideration, you need to have the ability to keep a lot of stock on hand. Somebody who finds your ad wants the wood now and will go somewhere else if you aren't ready with it. For hours worked and monetary return, the margins are slim but can be a lot of fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Document where you got each tree and that they are storm damaged urban trees. Maybe take pictures that show a street sign or a landmark in the background. Cuban mahogany and rosewood are protected and exporting the wood could be impossible without some proof of origin. I imagine that selling it locally might be easiest but if someone out of state is transporting it a little documentation might soothe a rabid bureaucrat. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brendon_t Posted December 1, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 I forgot to say above, Let's see more pics.. come on man. Slab porn is a thing. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau allen Posted December 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Thank you for the input guys. Yea I would defintely start milling into more then just slabs if there turned out to be some demand. I am always amazed at how much more vibrant the Cuban mahogany is compared to other mahogany varieties. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 A slab coffee table/humidor project seems like a logical high end use for one of those slabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Do you have any facilities for drying or is this green? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau allen Posted December 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Most of it has been kiln dried. Do you think any lumber dealers would be interested if it was milled dimensional? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 2 hours ago, Beau allen said: Most of it has been kiln dried. Do you think any lumber dealers would be interested if it was milled dimensional? Not here they wouldn't. Urban trees equal impregnated things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 and we are back at wood porn....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted December 2, 2018 Report Share Posted December 2, 2018 Hmmmm, 700 miles for my pick-em-up truck. Contact the dealers direct with your proposal. I'm sure you could find a listing on the 'Net somewhere. Woodworking magazines have listings of wood dealers. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted December 2, 2018 Report Share Posted December 2, 2018 I think you need to hit a section with a hand plane then wipe with mineral spirits for us all to see! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobShep Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Have you considered milling the mahogany into turning blanks? You could fairly easily ship wood in a USPS Priority shipping box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDG Posted June 15, 2020 Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 Hello, Beau Did you sell the wood or do you still have it? R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 15, 2020 Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 1 hour ago, RDG said: Did you sell the wood or do you still have it? Beau hasn't been on the forum for almost a year and a half, so is unlikely to reply. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDG Posted June 15, 2020 Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 OK. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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