Wood sources southeast Florida?

welcome to the forum, Rick.
what size is your lathe and what do you have an interest in for turning ??
for turning stock, I get mine off of Ebay and other online sources.
just for practice, you can use most any kind of wood to develop your skills.
learn how to sharpen your tools – and keep them sharp – is a priority.
looking forward to seeing some of your projects.
(start looking at trash piles for discarded furniture that you can use).

-- there is no educational alternative to having a front row seat in the School of Hard Knocks. --

This supplier is a little far south for you, but if your looking for something special go to Shell Lumber in Coconut Grove. They have wood from around the world. Not cheap but what is!

-- Bob, FL Keys

I agree with all the above posts. Keep your eye open along the roadside too. If you are just learning tool skills, it doesnt hurt to use anything you can find. Our HD & Lowes have some nice 4×4 pieces, even large dowels to make smaller projects. Id say stay away from fresh pine…

Heres a cedar log I picked up after a storm. Some recent prep work.

Practice practice practise. Sharp tools make a big difference. Good luck.

Good luck!

-- Mark B. Glenn Dale, MD

Rick, got any golf courses near you? They are always cutting up trees. If you know a member it will be easier. The super probably will not hold pieces for you. Landscape crew might be another source

-- Petey

Craftsmen supply in Tampa (Ybor city)

-- The hump with the stump and the pump!

Craftsmen supply in Tampa (Ybor city)

- Madmark2

didn’t know they shipped wood.

-- there is no educational alternative to having a front row seat in the School of Hard Knocks. --

They ship small lots. They stock exotics. They have lots of 2-1/2sq x12 and 6sq x3 exotic turning blanks. Order 8’ 1×8 jatoba cut in 4×2’ pcs, etc. Good ppl. Tell ‘em MadMark sent ya!

-- The hump with the stump and the pump!

Check out landscapers, arborists (tree removal), etc in your area. Possibly city utilities, the trim remove trees to protect power lines. Can get some variety from city house lawns. You need a place to store green wood and a chain saw minimum, band saw is a nice luxury, to cut up logs. I use a 20” gas and 16” electric (inside the shop) saws. Buying blanks gets expensive.

Thanks for all the replies. I’m going to look around and see what I can find based on the ideas here. I’m happy to live in south Fl but sometimes it feels like there’s nothing here but Palm trees. Not a bad problem to have until you try to find wood to throw on the lathe!