Qualities and Uses for Sweet Gum

Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article





	Today's Sponsors: Invicta Woodworking Machines IpeDepot.com irsauctions.com Italpresse J&P Machines J. Gibson McIlvain Company JIT Hardware Supplies, Inc. JMHsoftware.com John G. Weber Co. Joos USA Inc. KCDw Kerber Farms and Mill Keystone Wood Specialties Keytrix Data Systems Kiln-direct.com Kleiberit Adhesives USA, Inc. Koch Machinery and Systems Komo Machine, Inc. Kreg Tool Company Kremlin Lacy Cypress Inc. Laguna Tools Lane Stanton Vance LEUCO Tool Corporation Lewis Lumber Products Lobo Machinery Corp. Loch Logging and Lumber Logosol Lubie Lube Lumber Resources MACHINEKING.com Machines Italia - Italian Trade Commission Macoser, Inc. Mahros Maine Woods Company Mann and Parker Lumber Co. MARTIN Woodworking Machines Corp. Mastercam - CNC Software Matthews Mill Maya Positioning Equipment Mereen-Johnson Machine Company Merritt Woodwork Microvellum Mid America Protective Coatings Mid-America Hardwoods Middle Valley Lumber Midwest Automation Midwest Sandright Mikron Woodworking Machinery Mill Outlet Minimax Mirror Reflections Mississippi Heart Pine Miter Clamp MLS Machinery USA, Inc. MLS Machinery Modern Woodworking Magazine Moldingknives.com Monarch Machinery Morbidelli Moulder Services Moulder Techniques Mountainside Wood Products Multicam, Inc. NAP Gladu NCME Hardware Resources Hardwood Council Hardwood Store of N.C. Inc. Hasko Machines Heidelberg Flooring Hendrick Her-Saf Hermance Machine Company High Point Grinding - Total Saw Solutions Historical Plus Wood Hoffmann Machine Company Holz Her U.S. Inc. Howard S. Twichell Co. HSD USA Hvalsoe Sawmill Ltd. ICA North America Icy Straits Lumber IDM Impact Search and Placement Industrial Air Solutions Industrial Maid Integra Tooling InTrading

WOODWEB DISCLAIMS any and all RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY for the accuracy and application of the information below. Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Read More ...

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?

Qualities and Uses for Sweet Gum

A small sawmiller sees his first load of Gum wood, and gets advice about its value and how to handle it. June 22, 2005

Question
I bought a new bandmill a few months ago for my own use. I built a barn for a vacation cabin and am using wood I saw to finish it out - hard maple flooring, building my own cabinets, etc.

My question is, most of the wood I cut I have a purpose for, or the person it belongs to tells me what they want. I got a call recently from someone who said he had some sweet gum and white oak loaded in his dump truck and asked if I wanted it. I said I did, and when I got home there were 10 logs in the yard, and 7 were sweet gum 20" x 10'. I know what to do with the oak, but I am wondering how I should saw the gum to make it a resale item?

Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor T:
I believe sweet gum is the same as red gum, which was used as high quality millwork in many of the houses that were in the High Park area of Toronto back in the 20's. It�s beautiful wood. The red gum would be the darker heartwood of the sweet gum trees.

From contributor A:
Sweet gum is a great wood, but it cups and twists when it dries. If you cut it extra thick and pile a ton of brick on the pile as it dries, you can get something to use when it is dry.

From Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor:
The heartwood of sweet gum is reddish, and is therefore called red gum. The sapwood is white and is called sapgum. Both are excellent wood. Both like to warp when drying, so use all the standard methods to prevent warp. Process the wood before the weather warms to avoid stains.

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?

KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

KnowledgeBase: Lumber and Plywood

KnowledgeBase: Lumber & Plywood: Wood Identification

KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing

KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Sawmilling

Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.

Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

Return to beginning of article.

Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy

Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

WOODWEB, Inc.
RR4 Box 265A
Montrose, PA 18801

Contact WOODWEB