Mugo Pine

[Pens By Scott]

Hi everyone,
We've just had one or our Mugo Pines cut down and it got me wondering, has anyone turned this type of pine into pens? If so, how was it to work with? Is it worth storing til it dries? or is it best as firewood?

 

[phillywood]

Never heard of it, nor does it grow down here in S. TX. :biggrin:
It's free and I'd say you got nothing to lose than trying it. If it doesn't work then you learned something from it. Just cut a piece and put on the lathe, however, for your own expereience document anything that youd find different than working with other woods. I know I worked on the local pecan and every one was telling me that pecan is hard to work with, but mine is punky and I am taking my time with it and in a very short period I'll put on line what I did with mine which is interesting.

 

[GaryMGg]

Never heard of it but google says it's a shrub.
That suggests to me it's best use in a pen would be in a casting using the needles.

 

[KenV]

Pine tends to be hard/soft by rings and along with a tendecy to be pitchy can make sanding a challenge.

If you have pieces large enough try to cut blanks that a bias so the rings are ovals and get as many branch knots as possible. Can be nice. (have done Christmas Trees this way).

Take a look at the root ball for some attractive grain -- may have it or not but if you are digging it out, pressure wash and investigate.

Show us pictures if you have success.

 

[LeeR]

I had to trim one of our mugo pines, since it was hanging over the sidewalk a bit. (Got a warning letter from the city. Apparently we have some 7-8 foot tall people walking thru our neighborhood that are bumping into the trees ...).

I can attest to its excellent use as firewood. Burned nice and hot in our fire pit a few weeks after cutting it up. But the pitch in it would lead me to believe that you'd sure want to let it sit and dry, and harden up a bit to aid in turning and sanding.

 

[LandfillLumber]

Its a slow grower so should have tight grain,it used in Bonsai often.Most people have one in the yard and don't know what it is.Many "sports" of the tree as well.Turn it then you will know,I have seen some amazing pine/oak turnings and those two woods normally are not that cool.Victor

 

[Pens By Scott]

Thanks guys, I will set it off to the side for a few years and let it dry out.... wonder if this post will still be around when I get to turn it.