Got some Orange wood!

[Barefoot_Jake]

Hey yall wanted to share some wood i just got from the Florida swamp! I got a decent orange tree, there are some knots i am worried about but we will see how that works out in the future. my method of splitting trees int the past with a hammer and machete didn't work that well so I was thinking of using a circular saw to get a good straight cut down the center, what do you guys think would that mess with the natural split of the wood? if so I guess I need to pick up some wedges.

[PrimitiveTim]

Sweet dude!  Split it up!  Maybe we could get a reference of the diameter?

[mullet]

Be carefull with the saw, it will kickback something awfull. That sour orange will twist and check real bad if you don't clamp it down and seal it good after splitting. I would seal the ends and let it dry some before I started splitting it.

[dmenzies1950]

There aren't a lot of orange trees here in the Pacific Northwest but I use a circular saw all the time on  squirrelly wood. Just draw a line the length of the stave and carefully saw down the line, flip it over and repeat on the opposite side. It is true it is dangerous, but hold on tight and you can do it!

Dale
   

[Barefoot_Jake]

Thanks for the advice mullet and dmenzies Im gonna follow what you folks said. At Tim they are more oval shaped than circle so it ranges for the area you measure at from 3" to 2". Mullet you would say this is sour orange? I have no clue with IDing orange trees.

[Joec123able]

Orange wood .... First time be heard of anyone using it I'm interested in seeing how it works as a bow

[PrimitiveTim]

Mullet you would say this is sour orange? I have no clue with IDing orange trees.

Most citrus is basically the same species with a ton of different strains.  If you've got long straight pieces like that it's mostly likely from sour orange since they're only ones that can compete with native plants here in FL.  Also, taste the fruit.  It'll have a thick peel and not very juicy inside that is sour and full of seeds.