Paulownia Tree

Re: Paulownia Tree

John Lucas

>Greg

I have a friend who has a grove full. It turns very easily but is a little soft. Looks kind of like Ash as far as the grain and pores but is a courser wood and doesn't sand as fine. I've made quite a few hand mirrors from it. I like to play with color in the grain using waxes and dyes. John

Sure

Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia

>They grow everywhere down here in VA. We have cabinets out of Paulownia in a half bath. It is a very stable wood. I have cut down one, taken it to my sawmill and cut it in half. Then I turned a bowl and finished it with the pith hole still in the bowl. It went home with me to dry. There was virtually no movement. As John said, it tends to tear out a little but sands easily. Paulownia makes very nice salad bowls

Re: Paulownia Tree

Bill Luinetti

>Actually, I got a Paulownia log from Barbara Gill last year and turned several bowls from it (10" diameter), and my impression is that it is the lightest, most stable wood that I've ever turned.

I hope to get more from her later this year.

Bill

Makes a "perfect" popcorn bowl

Brian, Boothbay Harbor

>My understanding that it was always a furniture wood in Japan (nice and light for tansu's) until a disease hit much like our dutch elm disease and killed most of the trees.

A few years ago some Japanese people driving around Virginia (I believe) saw the tree down there and they started buying them and shipping to Japan.

If you search back in Fine Woodworking magazine the whole store is in there. If I find the issue I will let you know.

A friend of mine gave me some he got in PA and my wife and I always grab it for popcorn. Weighs less than the popcorn and like others have said "no movement" to speak of. Very stable.

Re: Paulownia Tree *LINK*

Juergen

>Try this link. It appears that it's a very fast growing tree that favored in Japan for furniture.


http://www.tropaul.com/formerindex.htm

Re: Paulownia Tree

Bill Turpin in WNC mountains

>Grows wild in WNC mountains; almost a weed tree like black locust, staghorn sumac, etc. At first it looks more like a bush than a tree. During first year's growth it can reach ten+ feet, with leaves over 12 inches across. As tree ages, growth slows and leaves get smaller (4 to 6"). Crafters carve kitchen spoons from them here. Japanese also make shoes from this wood. There some very wild stories hereabouts about how MUCH the Japanese have paid for mature specimens. The tree is very pretty in Spring with purple flowers on bare trees. It also has a very distinctive look in Winter with pecan sized seed pods. It is one of the few hardwoods that can be planted and harvested with true lumber within one lifetime.

Bill Turpin in WNC mountains