Bradford Pear Crotch Bowl

I really love turning Bradford Pear.  It is easy to turn, polishes up nicely and has has a great color when finished.  They are terrible landscape trees because their branching pattern is prone to breaking off during storms and ice which keeps me supplied with plenty of turning stock.  I Especially like looking for crotches where two branches come together and usually forms a bark inclusion.  There is often some figure in the wood at these areas as well.  I usually fill any voids in the bark inclusion with some dyed epoxy or turquoise inlay.  Another interesting thing is that the bark usually stays well attached and actually turns, sands and polishing to create an interesting pattern as in the 3rd picture.  I actually rough turned this green about 3 years ago and just never got around to finishing it until my wife asked me to make something for a friend. 

I forgot to measure it before my wife gave it to a friend but it was about 8-9" across and 3-4" tall.  It is finished with 3 coats of General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish.  This time I wet sanded with the finish when applying the second coat which it gave it a really nice sheen and did not require any buffing after the 3rd  coat.  The only thing I don't like about this finish is that you are supposed to wait 24 hours between coats.  It is hard to be that patient.