More Stools

Haven't had much activity here this year, though I hope to have a few posts out soon now as the eternal winter has surely ended. Today I was doing a little woodwork and was reminded of how often we over think projects... Why with the SSBO, I spent time prepping and an entire weekend building one stool; today, after lunch, I completed an entire set of matching stools.

Lest you think I'm shirking my woodworking obligations chunking up this limb as "stools" it's from a major limb (reaction wood) coming off the red oak that died a year or two back. Getting that thing on the ground was pucker inducing. (The tree had a lean to it, and I needed to drop this 16" limb out first to make sure it all didn't end up in the living room) 

I still have the lifetime supply pile (also red oak, not my favorite wood) I had sawn up when another one died. That one was straight and clear, this one not as much.

Still, with that much green red oak (is that a show in Canada?) left on the ground (~3' diameter) visions of some sort of joint stool come to mind, or should I try to find it a good home, have it sawn up and craigslist it, or something else, any ideas? If I do want to give it the ol' Follansbee try, what is the best lengths to rive from? I guess I need to start shopping for an better axe and a froe now...

Off topic, both of these pics were shot only by moon light, after it was too dark to work and the tools were picked up (darkness). Near impossible to focus (temporarily set your bright iPhone in the frame to lock onto; I guess cellphones do have a place in photography:) and 30" exposure meant I had to bust out the tripod. Still, I was amazed at how interesting they turned out straight out of the K-5 (I'm easily impressed I suppose.) I'll have to experiment more with this type of photography in the future.

I am really sad to see this tree go. It was the last of my mature red oaks to go (out of about 5) Not sure what has done them all in, but it's most of the red oaks in the neighborhood. None of the walnuts, hickory, white oaks sycamore or maples have had issues (all of which I would prefer having drying in a stack) My once completely shaded back yard is now seeing a few too many spots of sunshine, looks like I need to plant a few replacements, maybe a copper beech or elm. Even if I won't be around to enjoy the lumber, they both look like good trees to add to the mix.