How to pick and seson a tree for a mast?

[Laidback Larry]

Hello the wire
I have an oppertutnity to pick a standing tree to use as a mast for a 32' traditonal gaf rig. This would be a solid fir tree. Does anyone out there have any idea how to choose the best tree and how to age/seson the spar once it is no longer a tree? THANKS LARRY

[Ian McColgin]

Farley Mowett describes how Happy Adventure's masts were stuck in green and had a twisted grain. Every few years they had to reposition the spreaders and rigging as the mast unwound.

Perhaps you'll do better.

[Bob Cleek]

It's pretty hard to pick a tree that big... usually, they cut them down with chainsaws... buh-dum- (rimshot!) Seriously, ladies and germs...

It really isn't worth the time and energy involved to try to get such a relatively small stick out of a grown tree. It would be much, much, easier and from a time and labor standpoint, much more economical, to glue it up out of nice clear stock. You MAY even find a nice super long recycled clear old growth Doug fir beam that could be cut down to size if you have local access to timber recyclers, if you can't abide glue. Gluing up a solid spar out of at least three pieces will eliminate any twisting or bending in the drying process and produce a stronger spar as well. Remember your "picked" tree will take at least a year per inch to really dry out naturally. "Natural" trunks are really only suitable on ship-size masts, given the alternatives today. About the only time you see "trees" used for small stuff is when some of the salmon trollers save a few bucks and put them to work as outriggers. They aren't straight and aren't intended to last forever in that application, either.

[PeterSibley]

I cut a small collection of hoop pine poles (hoop pine is an Australian species,Im not sure what US timber would be comparable ),to use as masts ,booms etc.I cut them about 5 years ago ,when they were available from a plantation.The biggest is 32 ft x9" at what would be deck level.They should be OK but I have just been offered a good pile of used but very good oregon 2"x8",so we'll see.
Back to the pine poles.After I cut them I stripped the bark with a draw knife (best tool),then ran a 3" deep straight cut with a power saw up one side(this is an idea I picked up from a Classic Boat article on Colin Archer type s and their construction.)The idea worked very well .They dried evenly and the cut opened to about3/8"....there are not other cracks.I will glue in a long wedge of the same timber if I end up using them.I is important to support them evenly while drying....and I guess be patient.