In the Beginning...

Some of the information noted here may be incorrect.  I will make notes here and will update the info as my research continues.

 

This piece of wood was found in the loft of the barn at the WCMA site.  We are doing some research to try to nail down the dates for this piece.  The nails indicate that the earliest is around 1910 to 1920.  This is when 'wire' nails came into common use.

 

However, further research is needed as the wood appears to be western red cedar.  It is hard to believe that Ontario would be importing wood from the west when there was such an abundant supply locally.  The fact that this piece was used in a barn may suggest that it was used at a much later date than 1910.

From these images of the cross-section of the cedar plank Jim has made a rough determination of the diameter of the original tree.  He thinks that it must have been about 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The tree was slow growing which is indicated by the tightness of the year rings in the lower picture.

There are about 2.5 year rings per 1/16 inch which means that the tree was between 720 and 800 years old when cut.  This suggests that the earlier dates are accurate as this was the time when they were still cutting first growth trees out west.

Meanwhile, as research continues, I have made two bowl blanks from the wood.  I will be preparing them for turning.

More to come...