Lilac Tree Wood

[Zodiak]

After a hectic weekend in the garden I have ended up with an armful of Lilac wood but I can't decide what to do with it.

One of my aims for this year to to actually start a fire by friction, this wood seems OK for a bearing block and a bow, but too hard for the rest and it soundly resists all attempts at carving, any ideas?

Oh yes my wife is convinced that its poisonous too, is it?

 

[Longstrider]

A quick Google turned up this information...
"The wood of lilac is close-grained, diffuse-porous, extremely hard and one of the densest in Europe. The sapwood is typically cream-colored and the heartwood has various shades of brown and purple. Lilac wood has traditionally been used for engraving, musical instruments, knife handles etc."

So perhaps your best bet would be to season it and use it for handles? I wouldn't mind trying a bit myself come to think of it, I found a picture of some that had been made into a walking stick handle and it looks a little like a more pale version of yew with the darker heartwood and lighter sapwood.

 

[Singeblister]

Don't waste it mate this wood its really nice stuff , I used some on a knife and the figure in the wood is beautiful with purple streaks

 

[Zodiak]

Hmm, thanks, that sounds like a good find then

At the moment its a pile of branches and twigs in the corner of the garden, I will have to trim it up and see exactly whats there.

It also explains why it but seems to make a nice bearing block

 

[Singeblister]

Hmm, thanks, that sounds like a good find then

At the moment its a pile of branches and twigs in the corner of the garden, I will have to trim it up and see exactly whats there.

It also explains why it but seems to make a nice bearing block

If your going to season it rough cut it however you want then dip the end grain in melted candle wax a few times to seal it, you probably already knew this but thought i would mention it

 

[Zodiak]

If your going to season it rough cut it however you want then dip the end grain in melted candle wax a few times to seal it, you probably already knew this but thought i would mention it

No I didn't, thats all news to me so thanks

 

[benjamin.oneill]

i have my eye on some scraggy lilac in the garden, i carved a spoon once from some and it was very tightly grained and hard which is why i wanted some for other little projects.

 

[Zodiak]

Well I spent quite pleasant afternoon gathering the wood and trimming it up, unfortunatley most of it appears to have quite severe longtiudinal cracks so I don't know how much use its going to be fo carving, however it would seem to make ideal bearing blocks! (Not that I have ever managed this yet!)