Wood from a Hankerchief tree ??

[peterw3035]

Does anyone have any experience of turning or carving wood from a handkerchief tree ??

I've been offered some from a recently cut down tree, I've said yes please and will give it a go, it can always go on the wood burner

 

[gregmcateer]

I've heard it can be a bit knotty in the corners

 

[TheTiddles]

A bit like ash

 

[Woody2Shoes]

I got married under one of these trees!
I'm guessing it's a bit like lime - pale, with a tight grain structure - but that's a pure guess!

 

[Woody2Shoes]

I've heard it can be a bit knotty in the corners

Or snotty if you're not careful

 

[Dangermouse 2nd]

not to be sniffed at !!

 

[Sachakins]

Tried it, but that globby sticky stuff ain't resin, even if it is yellowy greenish looking it really ain't resin.......

 

[Cabinetman]

Hadn’t heard of it so I looked it up, (Spelt with a D by the way) also known as the dove tree or ghost tree it has an interesting story and is rare in this country, originally from China, your tree was probably planted in the early 1900s as that is when the first specimens were grown outside China. Sorry couldn’t find anything about the timber at all but will check my timber book next time I go, One bit of information I did glean is that it is slow-growing which is encouraging. Ian

 

[peterw3035]

Hadn’t heard of it so I looked it up, (Spelt with a D by the way) also known as the dove tree or ghost tree it has an interesting story and is rare in this country, originally from China, your tree was probably planted in the early 1900s as that is when the first specimens were grown outside China. Sorry couldn’t find anything about the timber at all but will check my timber book next time I go, One bit of information I did glean is that it is slow-growing which is encouraging. Ian

Thanks Ian for some good info, the tree was not that old but I'll have a better idea when I pick it up. I'll be interested in what your book says.

 

[HIGHKIT]

Does anyone have any experience of turning or carving wood from a handkerchief tree ??

I've been offered some from a recently cut down tree, I've said yes please and will give it a go, it can always go on the wood burner

It's not to be sneezed at !!!

 

[Jester129]

You can't turn your nose up at that!

 

[Cabinetman]

Hi Peter finally got to my wood identification and use book and I’m afraid it’s not in, not under any of its four names, I forgot to say it’s botanical name is Davidia Involucrata.
And there are some really silly names for timbers, Cow wood, Bollywood-Silkwood, Rubberwood, Bread, Tea, and Cucumber trees, Manwood, Hoeboe, Chewstick, and Long John, but no Handkerchief tree sorry. Ian

 

[peterw3035]

Thanks Ian, that's interesting. I'll see how it turns out.

 

[Just4Fun]

I'll see how it turns out.

Is that an intentional pun?

 

[Nic Rhodes]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184912262015?hash=item2b0da1337f:g:hX4AAOSwoIhgH9IB
No connection with this premium seller but some information here on the tree.

 

[peterw3035]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184912262015?hash=item2b0da1337f:g:hX4AAOSwoIhgH9IB
No connection with this premium seller but some information here on the tree.

Nic, that's fantastic. I think I need to branch out & cut it into pen blanks

 

[Cabinetman]

Nic, that's fantastic. I think I need to branch out & cut it into pen blanks

Another terrible pun Peter! Well why not, a whole lot better than burning it.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

Money to be made there Peter...It is not too common. I seem to remember a lovely Handkerchief Tree at Sizergh Castle but if I had taken only a few pen blanks from it the NT / Stickland family might have got upset

 

[Ashcraftwoodturning]

Does anyone have any experience of turning or carving wood from a handkerchief tree ??

I've been offered some from a recently cut down tree, I've said yes please and will give it a go, it can always go on the wood burner

I have some timber reputedly from a handkerchief tree. It turns like a cross between elm and walnut. Similar colour to walnut. I would like to know if you still have any left. I want to see an enlarged image of the end grain known to be h/chief tree to compare the pore structure with what I have left. The bigger magnification the better. If it is the same, I will submit some info to wood-database.com.