Thread: Paulownia log

Post updated with sizes and photos.

That'd be an interesting thing to play with as Ive never used the wood just read about it. I'm a bit far away and a bit time poor atm to be collecting more wood though.

I just roughly counted growth rings on the end and I got 25 years . Is that about right ? Did you plant it ? 4 to 500 mm for 25 years works out at 25mm growth per year with a 500 mm diameter.

It'd be nice to grow some just to watch it go.

It was already planted when I moved here 18yrs ago and was already a well established tree but yeah it does grow very quickly and your age estimate would be pretty bang on, it what I estimated when I moved in. Apparently they grow very tall in their first few years.

Only cut it down because it being dropping a few limbs in the last couple of years and also having to prune it every year around the powerlines.

DJ

My understanding of Paulownia is that it is represents a group of trees that are similar species, in the same way Meranti is not just one tree but many species. I would expect, because of the low weight, the kayak and canoe builders in particular would be most interested in your logs. It may be worth a link to that section of the Forum.

Regards
Paul

A quick bump, it’s still here but not for long, fire restrictions end in a couple of weeks and it’ll end up in the burn pile if no interest.

Take a small bit or 10feet or whatever, think I might cut a couple of small slabs freehand in the next week as well.

This species has a number of attributes
Firstly it seasons fast and has very little radial/tangential degrade.
It is also lightweight and extremely stable
And to top it off has very nice grain and at times beautiful figure!

Go for it folks...a very worthy wood imo
For a few beers,DJ is being very generous.

Log Dog

I agree with Log Dog.

Yes it is an amazing wood. I got a metre and a half long by 800mm wide log of pauwlonia from Bushmiller years ago and it only had thirteen growth rings. Apart from being light and strong and stable it is also very durable.

It isn't too bad for musical instruments eg ukuleles either - just wrong state for me.
(Obviously not high end but any beginner builders it is ideal)

Originally Posted by Log Dog

This species has a number of attributes

Sure is. In Japan paulownia is a prefered species for furniture and is also used to make exquisite lacquer ware products. Cheaper stuff has papier mache core, best stuff has paulownia core, and the top 2% has Japanese red oak.

When we were in Japan just before lockdown, at the Kyoto Craft Museum, we watched a turner shaping rice bowls from Paulownia, turning them down to 2 mm thickness, prior to lacquering. Bowls retail from $50 to $500 each.
漆器について | ZOHIKO Kyoto-style Lacquerware

Regrows back from a cut stump. Leaves make good stock feed. White ants dont like it. Bouyant. Stable. Durable (not inground.) Very light weight.
I love working with the timber.