Pecan Wood

[hawkeye]

Has anyone tried to carve in pecan wood? I have 20 grown pecan trees and always have very large grwwn limbs falling out due to the weight and was wondering if they would be a possibly be good for carving.

[Donsexton]

Re: Pecan Wood

Yes it is just another hard wood close to hickory more dense than oak but just as hard as white oak. No wood is too hard to carve with the correct tools and angle on your gouges. Cured sugar maple is harder and so is cured cherry.

[Bob K.]

Re: Pecan Wood

I agree with Don and I think pecan has a really nice grain to it.

[susieq]

Re: Pecan Wood

Hawkeye,
I live in the remains of a 125 year old pecan grove. The few trees we have left, are huge. I remember them shedding limbs that were nearly as big around as I am....for no apparent reason too. Scary. I don't know if the trees grow differently further North but the wood on these old trees is crumbly and pithy. Not anything I would consider for carving or furniture....or anything but the woodstove, really.

I know that the farther North one goes, the better the basswood is. Maybe it's the same with pecan wood. You'll just have to give it a try and see if you like it.

[nlcromwell]

Re: Pecan Wood

Hawkeye,
I have carved a number of staffs from Pecan saplings. As said, they are hard when cured but very carvable.

[Guest]

Re: Pecan Wood

I have carved and tuned Pecan. I love the grain and color. As was said it is a hard wood. So take your time.