Old growth Fir?

So I have the day off today and had some wood projects in my head that needed to get made up. I resawed this on my band saw from what I can tell is narrow clear fir plank. The piece shown is about 3 3/4 inches wide. I counted about 85-90 rings in this small section. The wood was part of a five panel door, probably from the 1920's - 1940's. It was doweled at the joints and after cutting and planing some of it, the glue was almost rubbery (possible hide glue?)

Anyone out there have any ideas? It is not too often you see tight grain in newer stock. This will be part of this pieces' story when it is complete.

 

I'd say old growth for sure.Never seen any 2nd growth with that tight of grain,most would be 10-15 rings per inch max that I remember.

 

Yeah, I'll third that. That's boat wood here, and while it's all but impossible to find new, it's everywhere in the old construction up here since they had so much of it. I am always salvaging what I can, and my friend with an excavation company always lets me know when they are doing a tear down. Good score, that will last forever.

 

These pictures are of the floor joists in our home .
2x10 old growth fir ,# 1 edge grain fir !

 

Just the other day I noticed the newel post on my parents staircase is old growth also. Tight grain. Its' funny how I didn't notice it before.

 

Yup that's it. Parents have that in their 1970 small house on their 10 acres.Beautiful stuff with age.


Here's a small candleholder I did from a chunk of old growth barn timber salvaged from county landfill about 20 yrs back.When you could still "scrounge" for stuff - I was there dumping some things anyway,seen this 4 ft long 5 x 5 & a 4 x 4 x 10 foot piece of angle iron from an old farm implement frame both right in front of me at my feet also. Now they have their equipment closeby & will bury stuff soon as you get outta the way! Also any metal & yard debris is in a separate area now for recycling - you cant take from there,its a no-no lol.

Larger piece is small bench/footstool from part of a very dense tight grained 2 x 12 I brought home from a demo/remodeling job at a local university mid 1950's dorm building in June 2008. Still have a 4 foot piece left,its not as nice though.Didnt want to lose that old patina,so just very light cleaning,scuff sanded with 220 grit paper instead of running these through the planer before applying hand rubbed clear Danish oil then 2 coats of amber varnish.

Used some leftover bronze screws,didnt countersink them cause wanted a 'rustic' look to match the dark amber 1950's knotty pine paneling in family room.That plank had a very slight cup/twist,but its not noticeable because all the pieces "match" each other & the bench doesn't rock or tip.

 

There are still some small stands on Northern Vancouver Island. These pictures were taken in August of this year.
In my early years operating loader, these stands were very common. Many 3 log loads!

 

You are right about the patina Thistle. It is very hard to re-create that amber tone without overdoing stain. That golden glow takes years to develop.

Allan, do you know how old those trees are?

 

Sorry these trees have been so common to me , that it never occurred to count !
Next time I,m up there for a hike will find the stump and do a count !