Eastern Spruce Solid Spars

[imported_Glenn]

I have a tree with a 16" trunk that tapers up to about 6" after rising a perfectly straight 48' in height. I would like to use it for a solid spar.

I am wondering if I can cut it in half over its full length and then use two 48' pieces to create two spars of if I can only use the tree for one massive spar that would have the heart of the tree at the center of the spar which seems to make sense when considering strength.

Everything I have read on how to create a solid wooden spar seems to indicate that the heart needs to be at the center. Can anyone confirm this to a newby boatbuilder?

[gaffman]

Heart needs to be in the center.

[Jack Heinlen]

Boxed heart(essentially full tree in your case), or well enough away from the heart, are the rules for solid spars. Sounds like a nice mast you have there.

[ 10-18-2002, 01:26 AM: Message edited by: Jack Heinlen ]