mesquite

has anyone here ever carved mesquite? i have some branches about 3" in diameter. it's either carve or smoke. what say you?

Do both!
Like this:

I've BBQ'd with it. Has a unique flavor that's so 'ono'.
Burn it down to coal, toss on some carne asada, pop a Corona and enjoy!

Also have milled and used for finish woodwork. It's a hardwood that's pretty far up on the hardness scale so it can be finished to a porcelain-like finish, depending on how much you like to sand.

Mesquite can also have nice color variations, look at the end of your piece. Some of it changes color towards the center and could come into play. Beautiful wood.

Smoooooke with it!