Wenge flooring

[Mr. Peet]

So I was gifted this piece of flooring with the instruction to trade it for wood I lack in my wood sample reference collection (xylerium). The piece is just over 83" inches long, 2.25" inches wide and 11/16ths thick. It has some nice flat sawn grain on one end and rift toward the other.

I am looking for 'Kudzu vine' (Pueraria genus, P. montana, P. edulis, P. phaseoloides, P. tuberosa) or 'Trumpet vine' (Campsis radicans) large enough to make a sample or easily 2 part laminate to make a sample. Finished samples are 3" wide by 6" long by 1/2" thick. Vines often have compression and load wood, so move a fair amount when seasoning, thus a larger over sized blank to start with.

Also open to other woody species I lack...

 

[Trob115]

I can probably get you what you need for kudzu vine. I don't have a need for the wenge. I will gladly ship you some if you cover shipping. It will be at least 2 weeks before I am at the place that has kudzu though.

 

[Mr. Peet]

I can probably get you what you need for kudzu vine. I don't have a need for the wenge. I will gladly ship you some if you cover shipping. It will be at least 2 weeks before I am at the place that has kudzu though.

Trey, Any clue what species it might be? How big a diameter that stuff get? Does it often get heart rot beyond a common size? You ever work it.

Sure, I'd pay shipping depending how big a monster you find and size of the box....

 

[Trob115]

Trey, Any clue what species it might be? How big a diameter that stuff get? Does it often get heart rot beyond a common size? You ever work it.

Sure, I'd pay shipping depending how big a monster you find and size of the box....

I'm not sure on the exact species. It's everywhere around here and I've never seen any heart rot. I've seen vines as big as 24" in diameter.

 

[Nature Man]

I'm not sure on the exact species. It's everywhere around here and I've never seen any heart rot. I've seen vines as big as 24" in diameter.

Would love to see pics of the Kudzu when you run across it. Chuck

 

[Trob115]

@Mr. Peet I was able to get down to the kudzu patch yesterday afternoon. I have been spraying about 7 acres of kudzu the past few years to try to keep it off our trees and it appears I have finally about killed all of the giant vines. The biggest vines I saw that were not dead is about 1" wide. I will take another look for you for some bigger stuff once the leaves fall off.

Kudzu can grow about 60 feet per growing season down here, and it's the devil to kill. All of these vines pictured are 1 season of growth.


If you are in need of any wisteria sinensis, I have some recently cut vines that are 3" wide. They're just in the burn pile.

 

[Trob115]

 

[Mr. Peet]

One 1" 'Kudzu' is a bit small, and would end up likely taking 4 pieces laminated to end up with a decent 3" wide sample. I'd like to wait and see if you find some bigger stuff on your place or the neighbors or down the road.

As for the 'Wisteria', I just cut a 3 incher at my brothers last month so am good there. Might want to offer what you have on WoodBarter as it can wick stabilizer really good and create awesome hybrid blanks.