Do any of our members in the southwest have access to any cholla wood they would like to sell or trade for?

I work on woods but what is a cholla wood? You can tell I am not familiar with different kinds of wood.

It is a beautiful wood even if all you do is sand and clear coat it,however the main reason that I am looking for some is for use in a bird cage that I made for a wayward parrot that landed on me one morning recently when I went outside to enjoy my morning coffee. Ido,want some for other things too,but it is not the main reason. Thank you.

Any cholla in particular, Wolf? Staghorn, buckthorn, jumping cholla? They all have their own "pattern".
Are you looking for smaller, thin pieces, then, for the bird to perch on?
I've never worked on, or cure dried any of the stuff, spent plenty of time getting the spines out of various body parts, particularly with the jumping chollla, they like to get hooked into the back of your leg on top and below the knee while the knee is bent. yow.
The staghorn might be what you are looking for, I can take some pics if you'd like.

Since you will be using it in a bird cage, do NOT finish it.

Parrots chew anything they can - we used to have a Mexicam red-head.

i am leaning towards the jumping cholla, but it has been nearly 20 years since I was last out that way, perhaps pics would be helpful not only to jog my memory but also to show other members that may have never seen it what it looks like.
I need a variety of sizes. The cage is 30" X30" X 60", I want to use some for perches and some for toys for the parrot and would like a little to play with for various art or decorator type wood projects.

Posted By Wolf on 06-19-2012 11:06 AM
i am leaning towards the jumping cholla, but it has been nearly 20 years since I was last out that way, perhaps pics would be helpful not only to jog my memory but also to show other members that may have never seen it what it looks like.
I need a variety of sizes. The cage is 30" X30" X 60", I want to use some for perches and some for toys for the parrot and would like a little to play with for various art or decorator type wood projects.

OK Wolf,
I didn't forget you, just had a brain fart, until today when I ran into a pile of this jumping cholla out in the desert.  These were the best pieces I could salvage easily enough to scrape the cacti skin and spines off.  A little sanding to get the sunburn off, should be good as new.  This is sitting on the tailgate of my truck, and I would say all of it doesn't weigh 2-3 pounds. Just guessing of course.  PM me your address and it's yours, my friend.  Merry Christmas!                  


                                                      

Thank you BJ that looks like just what I wanted. I really appreciate this. 

Many thanks to you BJ for the cholla wood. today is friday the 20th and I just received the wood. Excuse me for such a public form of thank you, but I wanted to let newbees to the forums know that sometimes the help they receive may be more than just advice. We are like a big family and when you ask and receive help try to remember to pay it back to whoever needs your help. Thanks again BJ you really have made my day.

 

WTG BJ, you have shown true HCOA family spirit more than once here. You make us all proud to be a part of this family of friends.  
  
Wolf, will you be turning any of those pieces? I've seen a few ornaments done using it and they are quite remarkable. I uderstand they take a very sharp tool and slow steady hand to turn, and they are pretty awesome with all their intricate holes and voids when finished. 

Posted By Wolf on 07-20-2012 03:22 PM
Many thanks to you BJ for the cholla wood. today is friday the 20th and I just received the wood. Excuse me for such a public form of thank you, but I wanted to let newbees to the forums know that sometimes the help they receive may be more than just advice. We are like a big family and when you ask and receive help try to remember to pay it back to whoever needs your help. Thanks again BJ you really have made my day.

Wolf,
and Dewey,

As they say here, "De nada."
But now, I have to go and butter up my head, so I can get in and out of my truck.       

And if you haven't seen it yet, try out the movie (DVD) "Pay It Forward".
A real tearjerker with a real message.

So, now that the need is taken care of, I have to ask: "How is the word CHOLLA pronounced?" I can't get my tongue around pronouncing the Spanish double "L" in between two vowels. My wife can't figure out how to do it either.

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/phoenix...awords.htm
CHOY - ah

Dewey, I really am not sure as to what I will make out of this gift but I have never seen any of it turned and would be interested in more on it. I have placed one piece, about 18" long in the cage as a perch and Kiki ( the parrot) just loves it. I started sanding onr piece of it to clean it up a bit more and to start getting a feel for the wood. I figure that by the time it is all cleaned up I should have some ideas as to what I might want to make out of it.
Thanks again for the assistance