Texas mesquite

[Mike71]

Would old trees with many decades of new growth around the old be desirable for carving or furniture making?

[Dave H]

Do you mean with suckers ( or volunteer trees )  that form at the base of an established tree? If so are you asking about the established tree or the suckers?

[Mike71]

{New growth that went into full blown tree around the established.. Can see old tree in some cracks of the new growth.

[Dave H]

I'm not familiar with Mesquite I live in Washington State, I would just try it if it works great if it doesn't now you know. In Washington suckers happen a lot in Broad Leaf Maple trees I've never tried to do anything with them. I wish I had some Mesquite around here it looks like very beautiful wood.

[Mike71]

Hi higtron. Thanks for your time. I was born in Everett. And yes, the really old trees have beautiful patterning. Thanks again and look forward to posting in future.

[wtnhighlander]

Let's raise a flag for @Mick S, he's posted more mesquite projects than anyone else here, I think.

[Mick S]

 

 

2 hours ago, wtnhighlander said:

Let's raise a flag for @Mick S, he's posted more mesquite projects than anyone else here, I think.

I do love me some mesquite! 

Mesquite is not the easiest wood to work with, but it's worth the extra effort, IMO. It's high in mineral content which makes it very abrasive to tools. Here's a good write up about the lumber. One thing I will say is that I LOVE the smell in my shop after milling it. Bear in mind that it's roughly twice as hard as red oak, so carbide tooling is very highly recommended.

It also has a great deal of color variation, so matching boards can be a challenge. When finished with oil to bring out the figure it's on par with many exotics, and priced accordingly. I'm a west Texas oil trash guy and grew up with it, so I have a real appreciation for finding something beautiful in such an otherwise desolate landscape.

When people ask about the projects I've made with it they're shocked, to a person, when I tell them it's mesquite. I get the bulk of mine from Faifer & Co. outside San Antonio, TX. 

Here are a few of the pieces I've used mesquite in.

Floating top table

Cutting board with turquoise

Medicine cabinet 

Our kitchen cabinet fronts. Cherry frames.

Large charcuterie board for Alison's niece. Black palm feet.

Morris chair.

Rookhee campaign chair.

 

Just realized I may have a problem...

[Mark J]

Mick, that stuff is beautiful, the furniture and the wood it's made from. 

Geez, the only thing I ever made with mesquite was a steak.  

[Mark J]

8 hours ago, Mike71 said:

Would old trees with many decades of new growth around the old be desirable for carving or furniture making?

Do you have a picture of the piece of wood?  I know woodturners are always interested in wood with interesting figure.  I would think carvers are the same.  

[Mick S]

54 minutes ago, Mark J said:

Do you have a picture of the piece of wood?  I know woodturners are always interested in wood with interesting figure.  I would think carvers are the same.  

Here are a few, including proof that it's indeed Texas mesquite!

[treeslayer]

Wow Mick everything is just beautiful, love the cabinets. Is there any mesquite left in Texas of did you turn it all into beautiful woodwork ?

[Coop]

Mick, love the Longhorn, that’s a keeper. After visiting a customers 20,000 acre ranch in south Texas for many years, I too was enamored with mesquite, so much so that I bought and planted one here in Houston. It will never amount to a piece of furniture in my life time but just enjoy it’s slow growth. With the exception of the suckers you speak of which grow straight and about 30 times the amount of the other limbs. I can’t imagine the suckers having any character at all. Mick is definately the mesquite king! 

[Mick S]

Coop, I filled that longhorn with turquoise to make it stand out after it was finished. It's now grazing on a door front to the left of the kitchen sink!

It is a slow-growing tree, even with all the water you get in Houston. I came across a guy out this way that has about twenty 8/4 x 12" - 20" x 72" slabs in his barn. I'm gonna take some off his hands once the snakes head inside for the winter. I'd give you his contact info, but I don't even remember where he is. 

[Coop]

Our rain may be the reason I get so many suckers. That must have been one big ole mesquite tree!