What dimensions should the blanks be cut..2.5" thick, 7" wide, and 36" long?

If you have ever looked at a feathered crotch blank, what you are seeing is the grain and mineral streaking running from the main trunk up into the limb. This is hard to explain but hope you understand. If you laid the trunk on the ground and put the limb going up so it was at the top of the trunk, then you would make cuts vertical to the ground so that you had a blank that was centered on the limb and about 3 inches wide. The cuts will go all the way through the the main trunk and have the center of the limb in it also. Did I make myself clear?

Yes thank you

There was a grove of about 100 walnut trees on a lot near me just sitting vacant . well a few weeks ago the demolition crew was in there knockin the trees down with a bulldozer and cutting them up with chain saws and putting them in dumpsters.
I went in there to see if I could snag some wood , lots if I could.

Well the Demo guys were these frickin Iranians or something and could barely talk english.
They said No !! I cant take any wood .

I think they were just hauling it off to a dump.
Frickin assholes...

I went back at night and got a couple logs , I dont know what kind of wood it is .

If I remember right, the commercial nut trees here in the US are English walnut top halves grafted on to French walnut stumps. The trees are grafted when they're barely more than twigs because the French walnut root systems are more disease and rot resistant and the English walnuts are "eating nuts". Look carefully and you should see where the bark changes in color and texture right above the ground level.

Sniper,



Chic is right, but. You might consider the suggestion to take the tree to someone to cut it on either a large circular or band saw.



Just for your info check this link to discover if what you have is American Black Walnut:



http://www.treeguide.com/Species.asp?SpeciesID=542



If so, it is one of the most expensive woods around. Take a leaf to a knowledgeable nursery worker and ask if it is Juglans nigra. Depending on the size of the tree and its condition it may be worth far more than you think.



I would have done this before felling the tree, but do this before it is chain sawed further.



Also, you do realize you will have to let this wood dry for a long time right? Check here for basics of air drying:



http://www.sawmillmag.com/articles_index.html?article_id=221



By the way, if it proves to be American Black Walnut and you have more trees, please contact me.



Dave

Here is a page with some pictures of walnut trees being sawn into slabs. The trees are "English" walnut, but are from the NW US. The wood looks much different than English grown in California. Pictures

"Don't think so, American Black walnut is the most commonly used walnut on US factory guns. All in all, pretty much average stuff"

Craigster,

A lot of wood is mistakenly called black walnut. If you took a look at the link I posted, you would see the same statement made there, as well as numerous other authorities:

"Black walnut is the premier hardwood species in North America, and one of the most valuable woods in the world. Supplies of quality walnut are declining, as a result of overharvesting. "

Other walnuts are more sought after for gunstocks due to grain color variations, feathering, figure, etc. e.g. Circassian walnut.

The modern large production gunstocks that I have seen were not black walnut. As to value, large black walnut trees can command far more money than other hardwoods grown in the USA.

Take a look at that link and there are other sites, if you want I can give you.

Dave

Thanks for the info, Dave. Looks like the black walnut I'm thinking of is not the genuine article.