Sunday, May 21, 2017

THE LINDEN TREE

       There was a linden tree in my neighbor's yard for the past 45 years. Linden trees are rare here because they are not hardy enough for our  climate . The tree was planted when a long ago homeowner was given to tree and was to put it in to see how it would do. The original neighbor left a long time ago but the linden tree did well. It was the best of the few linden trees in town. Usually they don't reach maturity because they freeze before they ripen off in the fall. 



      Now the tree was taken down last week because the 5 main stems were starting to split and there was a danger of the tree falling and hitting the house.

     Now we have wood carvers and lathers who cruise the neighborhoods watching for trees that are being taken down. If it's an interesting type of wood they ask for the wood. 

    My friend David was first on the scene and he took a couple of big chunks. David told his friend Andrew and Andrew showed up on the scene and promptly informed the neighbor that this was basswood and the very best wood for carving as you can carve it against the grain. Andrew further told the neighbor that if you bought this wood it would be about $300.00 for a 4 foot length. 

    So the neighbor kicked himself and some quick deals were made which didn't include money. The neighbor also could not believe that his tree was a basswood as he had been told by the city that it was a linden tree. The neighbor checked on the web and sure enough the linden tree is a basswood. 

    Now I'm sure most of you know about these trees. 

    Now the neighbor wanted to keep the stump and make it into a planter. He did a very good job of it. The bottom was just too big to take off with the small chain saw.


       This one looks a bit like a person with mouth and eyes and legs(pants)




      So an attractive planter was made out of the stump.

26 comments:

  1. That was a beautiful tree. If it had to be taken down, I'm glad the wood has been treasured and will be transformed.

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    1. It's sad that it's growth pattern left it weakened.

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  2. What a fantastic way to use the stump! Looks really good.

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  3. Yes a Linden is a Basswood. It carves very nicely if it has been cured correctly, it takes about two years of drying to get to be really good for carving. A Linden is in the genus Tilia, the leaves are large and the flowers are very perfumey in the early summer. I am sorry that it had to come down :(

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    1. I knew you'd be up on this topic. the sap had not risen on this tree so it's quite dry but will still take a long time to dry.

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  4. Always sad to see a tree have to go but what a lovely way to use what is left.

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    1. Some people are starting to leave stumps and do something creative with them.

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  5. I am always amazed what wood carver can make out of a tree.

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    1. I admire the skill wood carvers have.

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  6. We have plenty of linden trees around here. I don't think I've ever seen a basswood tree before, though. Beautiful planter, Red. And I agree with Linda: if it had to come down, I'm glad the wood will be used. :-)

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    1. They certainly are very attractive trees.

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  7. Basswood thrives all over here. Lindens do also, they are a brittle tree and loose branches in our storms.There is a Lime Linden I like because it's blooms are so fragrant.

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    1. Our season isn't quite long enough for basswood or linden.

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  8. What a nice, creative thing to do with a stump! Reminds me that I planted a Douglas fir in my backyard in the late '70s in a New York suburb. Did fine until we moved in 1983. Now I want to go back and see if it's still there.

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    1. Trees will surprise you as they grow rapidly and their shape can change too.

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  9. Though the tree has gone it is nice to see that the stump remains as a planter and other wood will be carved into bowls and such things.

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    1. The surprise was that the wood was a top carving variety.

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  10. It is always sad to see a tree taken down but sometimes it's necessary.

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    1. You can't take risks with trees . they are unpredictable.

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  11. sad story with happy ending though!
    45 years is quite long time to develop relationship with such living creature near you.

    this cute looking planter will keep it's memories alive

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  12. I haven't heard of the linden-basswood. I was looking at an unusual tree yesterday for these parts- an Ohio Buckeye.

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  13. Wish my hubby had done that with a large tree in our back yard. With his sense of artistic design I now have a ten foot tall pole!!

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  14. That was a very beautiful tree! If the tree absolutely had to go, the planter is a worthy replacement

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  15. That is great that the stump was made in to a lovely planter. Wood carvers are very creative and its a joy to watch them do their craft. Nice post.

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  16. That was such a pretty tree. I'm glad a lovely planter could be made from it.

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