[Woodcarver] black gum

[Dick Allen]

A definition found for Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is more commonly know 
as Tupelo.  This commonly used for decoy and other animal carvers that 
will use primarily with power.
Often found on moist ground along rivers and streams.   From southern 
Maine to southern Michigan to Florida   Zones 3-9


>

> Is anyone familiar with black gum as a carving wood? My dad cut one up

> and saved several chunks of the tree for me to try as a carving medium.

> I carved away a small section of bark and found a very light, almost

> white, wood underneath. It seemed to carve like butter, but, as I said,

> it was not very deep. Dad says it is that way all the way through with

> not even rings showing. It seems like it has almost no grain.

>

> Does anybody know anymore about it? Anything will be a help before

> devoting much time to trying it.

>

>

> --

> Kathy L. Sylvest

>