Author Topic: Water tupelo?  (Read 4133 times)

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Offline joachimM

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Water tupelo?
« on: December 13, 2017, 09:00:35 am »
I got some slats of water tupelo from a carpenter. Thought of using them with a backing.
Anyone ever used this wood?

Offline PatM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2017, 10:27:02 am »

Offline Pat B

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2017, 10:32:07 am »
I've never used it but it should work fine with it's interlocking grain. Just be glad you don't have to split it.  :o
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Morgan

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2017, 09:34:14 pm »
Never heard of that tree? Where is it native?

Offline PatM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2017, 09:38:49 pm »
Never heard of that tree? Where is it native?

Southeast US

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2017, 09:41:23 pm »
I found the wood to be very soft in the butt, very hard in the trunk. I carved a lot of duck decoys out of it and used the butt section. It carved easily and held the finest detail perfectly.

I haven't used it in a bow application so i don't know if it will work.

Offline Stoner

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2017, 05:33:11 am »
I'm right with Eric. Used it for decorative decoy's and took some great detail in feathers and under cutting. Seems like might be soft for bows, dunno? John

Offline Pat B

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2017, 07:49:26 am »
Water tupelo is also known as black gun
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PatM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2017, 08:38:42 am »
Water tupelo is also known as black gun

 It shouldn't be since Black Gum is a different tree.

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2017, 10:35:40 am »
I believe Pat M is right on this one, water Tupelo and Tupelo gum are one in the same, black gum is a different species.

Like any packrat I had a lifetime supply for Tupelo gum carving blocks squirreled away. I decided I had carved my last a year ago after being out of it since 86, I sold my stash cheap just to get someone to haul it off and get it out of my way.

Tupelo gum in the swamp;


Offline PatM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2017, 10:50:02 am »
This type of tree obviously split into species adapted to all three environments.  Actual water, swamp and dry land.

PatB may be referring to the swamp variety which is known as  swamp black gum.


Offline Pat B

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2017, 11:30:14 am »
I was referring to Nyssa sylvatica.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PatM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2017, 12:04:35 pm »
I was referring to Nyssa sylvatica.

 Hence the confusion. ;)

Offline Pat B

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #13 on: December 14, 2017, 12:29:33 pm »
Are the wood characteristics not similar?
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline joachimM

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Re: Water tupelo?
« Reply #14 on: December 14, 2017, 03:55:09 pm »
You never know what it's gonna give till you make a bow out of it :-)
Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and water tupelo seem indeed very similar as per wood properties.

I'll see what destination I can give it  (--)