A chap stopped in last week, has a chinquapin oak log and wondering if it can be used for salad mixing bowls.  I cut a" section from one end this afternoon to try, small border of white sapwood, heartwood has nice light brown coloring.


Anyone have good or bad experience making once turned bowls from this wood?

I am familiar with the name because of one local wood, the Golden Chestnut/Chinquapin. I would look at the leaves. If the lobes are rounded, then it is in the white oak family and solid, like the stuff they make wine or whiskey barrels out of. If the lobes come to points, then it is the red/black oak, and very porous. This would not make for a great daily use bowl. That can be solved, at least to a degree or so, by wet sanding with finish because the slurry can plug up the holes. Give it a shot. I do think it is a true oak, and not some thing similar.

robo hippy