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View Full Version : South AMERICAN INVADER --SYRINGA OR CHINABERRY



ACACIA
14th August 2016, 09:48 PM
Hi --
here in Zululand ----are many pest invader trees from NW Argentina / china etc

called locally -SYRINGA --- also known as CHINABERRY -or WHITECEDAR in USA

ITS cut out/destroyed--- classed as trash here -
but appears to have interestinggrain light color/light wood
surely its not rubbish as some say?

Has any AUSTRALIAN woodworker /turner ---used this tree
for bowls -beams carving etc??

wonder how It turns?
have cuta few logs
any advice would be welcome

ACACIA---will send fotos of this invader--I think its got some use!

Toymaker Len
15th August 2016, 01:20 AM
Its nice light timber, good distinctive mid brown grain, dries well and quickly , stable, glues, nails, screws. Certainly not rubbish.

ACACIA
15th August 2016, 04:18 AM
Here are some pics of Zulu invader --chinaberry /white cedar

Does dry fast ---very-coarse grain---looks ok so far!

BUT its cracking as I turn it -----got to be quick!----SEE the crack !-abort!

try another WET syringe /Persian lilac---

similar to pine---in appearance---interesting-wide grain--will keep experimenting

hughie
15th August 2016, 05:29 AM
Here are some pics of Zulu invader --chinaberry /white cedar

Does dry fast ---very-coarse grain---looks ok so far!

BUT its cracking as I turn it -----got to be quick!----SEE the crack !-abort!



try another WET syringe /Persian lilac---

similar to pine---in appearance---interesting-wide grain--will keep experimenting

I think if you use Danish Oil on it it will darken up some. Those cracks are very small you could try filling them with CA and it should do the trick.

BlackbuttWA
15th August 2016, 03:19 PM
Agree with above posts.
Common names include...White Cedar, Cape Lilac
Botanical name ....Melia azadarach.

Native to Asia, Grows in NSW & New Guinea

Classed as a weed In Western Australia.

Col

Toymaker Len
21st August 2016, 02:20 AM
You might try splitting some up the middle and then leaving it to dry for a few years. Almost no species will not crack as it dries in the round.

powderpost
21st August 2016, 09:32 PM
This tree grows up here and can be very invasive. I find that if it is left too long in the round it will develop small random pockets of decay internally. It is ok if converted into boards soon after felling and dried carefully. Perhaps I am spoilled with the abundant variety of infinitely better species available here.

Jim