The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - Thinking of moving to North Carolina

Jennifer Hasan

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Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Feb 25^th, 2018 at 2:38pm

I'm thinking of moving to North Carolina to reduce my expenses. I currently live in New York, 90 minutes from NYC. I have a good friend in Greenville so area that might be a consideration.

For those who live in North Carolina, where would be the best place for a turner who needs access to free wood? Would another part of the state be better?

Thanks for your help.

Jenn

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John Cepko

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Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Reply #1 - Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:02pm

People seem to be leaving NY as fast as they can. What is going on up there? Reason cited to me..high taxes, especially property taxes, in every case, you too?
You are at least the 3rd I have heard of this year, and I don't even live there.
Delaware, and 1 in Virginia, and you in NC.
In my travels through the state, it all seems heavily wooded, and free wood should not be hard to come by.
Lots of Pine, being the Tarheel state.

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« Last Edit: Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:02pm by John Cepko »

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Ed Weber

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Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Reply #2 - Feb 25^th, 2018 at 5:02pm

John Cepko wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:02pm:

In my travels through the state, it all seems heavily wooded, and free wood should not be hard to come by.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade but,
Wood is a commodity and NC is also the furniture making capital of the country.
Just because an area is heavily wooded, in no way means there is free wood to be had.
When you get "free" wood, it's wood someone else didn't want for some reason.
I like free wood as much as the next person but I certainly don't rely on it ever being free.
JMO

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robo_hippy WR Addict Offline Posts: 3,638 Eugene, OR USA	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #3 - Feb 26^th, 2018 at 12:22pm Arborists are always the best source for wood, especially after a storm. Blown over trees are fine, but broken by the wind trees are not. That and other woodturners. I believe the 2019 Symposium is in North Carolina. robo hippy
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Jennifer Hasan Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 232 Beacon, ny New York USA	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #4 - Feb 26^th, 2018 at 12:36pm I have no reason to be here anymore, so I'm looking for a place that is less expensive.
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Don Stephan WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2,659 Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio USA Gender:	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #5 - Feb 26^th, 2018 at 7:25pm Sorry to hear that. There are several arts & crafts schools in N Carolina if that matters.
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Jennifer Hasan Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 232 Beacon, ny New York USA	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #6 - Feb 26^th, 2018 at 8:38pm Thanks, Don.
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John Cepko

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Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Reply #7 - Feb 27^th, 2018 at 8:31pm

Ed Weber wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 5:02pm:

John Cepko wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:02pm:

In my travels through the state, it all seems heavily wooded, and free wood should not be hard to come by.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade but,
Wood is a commodity and NC is also the furniture making capital of the country.
Just because an area is heavily wooded, in no way means there is free wood to be had.
When you get "free" wood, it's wood someone else didn't want for some reason.
I like free wood as much as the next person but I certainly don't rely on it ever being free.
JMO

I should have been more clear. I see trees in peoples yards in NC. Many cases, large, old trees. These trees need to be trimmed, or removed, and tree services that perform these services are great sources of wood for a local turner. I was not suggesting for the OP to go and just cut any tree growing anywhere.
These type of tree services usually do not mill what they cut down, and it is either fire wood, or landfill waste, unless a local turner can swoop in and 'rescue' a log or two.

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Don Stephan WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2,659 Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio USA Gender:	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #8 - Feb 28^th, 2018 at 8:59am Never thought of this before, but when moving to a new community perhaps a turner can develop contacts by offering to donate a turned item or two to local charities if they help the turner find available wood.
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,675 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #9 - Feb 28^th, 2018 at 9:23am I hear Asheville has a striving art community with tourists looking to buy local crafts
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Jayson Grazel

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Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Reply #10 - Feb 28^th, 2018 at 7:18pm

I live in Gaffney Sc. About 40 minutes from greenvile. If it’s not free it does not get turned by me. Woods pretty easy to find. I usually find my best wood along right of ways where crews are cutting for power lines and gas lines. Here lately they have been making these wider. Lots of huge oaks, black walnut, pecans, sycamore etc have been dropped because of this and just left to rot. Land owners are usually glad to give you permission for removal. The cutting crews are only responsible for chipping and removing the branches. All the trucks are left and become the land owners wether they wanted it or not. Another place I watch for is hardwood logging. Regular even here. After the job is done usually you can find some great stuff left over. Happy hunting

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Arlin Eastman Senior Member Offline Born in the USA Posts: 466 Council Bluffs Iowa USA Gender: PM3520B	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #11 - Feb 28^th, 2018 at 8:19pm Tomorrow I will look up a AAW Turning club for you down there and I think there are two or three of them. That would be great place to start is move by a club and I am very sure they will help you with wood.
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Jennifer Hasan Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 232 Beacon, ny New York USA	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #12 - Feb 28^th, 2018 at 10:03pm Thank you gentlemen for all your help.
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Rick Caron Senior Member Offline So many logs, so little time! Posts: 456 Greer South Carolina USA Gender:	Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina Reply #13 - Mar 1^st, 2018 at 9:17am I live in upstate SC, and never bought any wood. Just keep your eyes open and you'll see arborists cutting down trees. Stop and ask what the land owner is going to do with the wood. Usually they say he wants it to go away.
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Mike Mills

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Re: Thinking of moving to North Carolina
Reply #14 - Mar 1^st, 2018 at 10:08am

I live in the Piedmont area and you will be more coastal but there should be lots of free wood. Except for a few spindle pieces where I wanted dry I have never purchased wood for turning.
As mentioned check with the power company, they only remove (chip) under 6", depending on the city check craigs list or the local green dump. I have little doubt that typically I could fill the bed of my F150 within a 15 mile radius every week of the year. This excludes pine and cedar.

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