Old trees to live on as furniture

Australind wood turner John Ablett can already picture unique furniture pieces in his mind when he looks at the massive marri logs in the mill yard of his Featured Wood Gallery in the Australind Light Industrial Area.

When Harvey Shire Council decided to extend its Australind office, a group of majestic marri trees had to give way.

The council offered the wood to Mr Ablett who worked with council staff and a tree lopping company to cut them down with minimal waste.

Mr Ablett organised a truck and council staff helped to load it with a front end loader.

“It is a gift from the Harvey Shire Council which I very much appreciate, ” Mr Ablett said.

“Marri trees of this size are harder and harder to get and I will turn them into furniture heirlooms for the future.

“The logs will be cut into slabs and boards and it takes about three years for the wood to dry.

“These trees are about 150 years old and it would be a total waste to burn them.”

Shire principal building surveyor Merv Stewart said the council was happy to give the trees to Mr Ablett.

Parts of the trees not suitable for woodturning were mulched for use on council parks and gardens.