Mast Materials

[Carlsboats]

Need help in deciding what kinds of spruce and cedar might serve for solid and/or birdsmouth spars, and planking, in ole-timey wooden boats. I have my eye on some nice straight trees. Arborists tell me some are spruce and some cedar Before sharpening the axe I need to know what varities of spruce/cedar would be good for spars or planking, and whether any of them are no-nos. Then I'll get the experts to tell me exactly what we are looking at in the woods at hand. I know that Sitka spruce is ideal for masts- but these are eastern trees, not Sitka. And I know that white cedar is great for planking, but could it be used for masts, or could other cedars? All wisdom on this subject will be much appreciated. CARLSBOATS

[Carlsboats]

Need help in deciding what kinds of spruce and cedar might serve for solid and/or birdsmouth spars, and planking, in ole-timey wooden boats. I have my eye on some nice straight trees. Arborists tell me some are spruce and some cedar Before sharpening the axe I need to know what varities of spruce/cedar would be good for spars or planking, and whether any of them are no-nos. Then I'll get the experts to tell me exactly what we are looking at in the woods at hand. I know that Sitka spruce is ideal for masts- but these are eastern trees, not Sitka. And I know that white cedar is great for planking, but could it be used for masts, or could other cedars? All wisdom on this subject will be much appreciated. CARLSBOATS

[Carlsboats]

Need help in deciding what kinds of spruce and cedar might serve for solid and/or birdsmouth spars, and planking, in ole-timey wooden boats. I have my eye on some nice straight trees. Arborists tell me some are spruce and some cedar Before sharpening the axe I need to know what varities of spruce/cedar would be good for spars or planking, and whether any of them are no-nos. Then I'll get the experts to tell me exactly what we are looking at in the woods at hand. I know that Sitka spruce is ideal for masts- but these are eastern trees, not Sitka. And I know that white cedar is great for planking, but could it be used for masts, or could other cedars? All wisdom on this subject will be much appreciated. CARLSBOATS

[rbgarr]

I used an Eastern spruce tree on a 22' Muscongus Bay Sloop (like a Friendship sloop) for the mast and it worked great.

[rbgarr]

I used an Eastern spruce tree on a 22' Muscongus Bay Sloop (like a Friendship sloop) for the mast and it worked great.

[rbgarr]

I used an Eastern spruce tree on a 22' Muscongus Bay Sloop (like a Friendship sloop) for the mast and it worked great.

[rob]

we generally have only three cedar species on the east coast: White, Atlantic, and aromatic red. White and atlantic are both great for planking if the are relatively clear. I have never seen a red that was either tall or clear enough to even consider using for planking..it is not in it's growth naturre. White and Atlantic can and have been used for small unstayed masts, but I wouldn't recomend it. they are relatively weak species and tend to take a "set" when repeatedly stressed or bent in one direction.
Our local spruces(there are several) are great for spars, light and strong and stiff. I would not recomend them for planking unless you plan to take excellent care of the boat and not store her in the water or even unsheltered on land as spruce is a very rot prone species.
As far as general I.D. cedars have soft almost hairy bark that peals away in long strips, and flattened segmented needles. Spruce have rough bark and short pointy needles

[rob]

we generally have only three cedar species on the east coast: White, Atlantic, and aromatic red. White and atlantic are both great for planking if the are relatively clear. I have never seen a red that was either tall or clear enough to even consider using for planking..it is not in it's growth naturre. White and Atlantic can and have been used for small unstayed masts, but I wouldn't recomend it. they are relatively weak species and tend to take a "set" when repeatedly stressed or bent in one direction.
Our local spruces(there are several) are great for spars, light and strong and stiff. I would not recomend them for planking unless you plan to take excellent care of the boat and not store her in the water or even unsheltered on land as spruce is a very rot prone species.
As far as general I.D. cedars have soft almost hairy bark that peals away in long strips, and flattened segmented needles. Spruce have rough bark and short pointy needles

[rob]

we generally have only three cedar species on the east coast: White, Atlantic, and aromatic red. White and atlantic are both great for planking if the are relatively clear. I have never seen a red that was either tall or clear enough to even consider using for planking..it is not in it's growth naturre. White and Atlantic can and have been used for small unstayed masts, but I wouldn't recomend it. they are relatively weak species and tend to take a "set" when repeatedly stressed or bent in one direction.
Our local spruces(there are several) are great for spars, light and strong and stiff. I would not recomend them for planking unless you plan to take excellent care of the boat and not store her in the water or even unsheltered on land as spruce is a very rot prone species.
As far as general I.D. cedars have soft almost hairy bark that peals away in long strips, and flattened segmented needles. Spruce have rough bark and short pointy needles