Silk Tree (Albizia)

[corbs]

Hey all, was just walking through town and found someone trimming a silk tree (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizia). I picked up a 1m length (~100mm at the widest), which has a bit of rot & borer holes in it. In my conversation with him it appears the rest of the tree will be removed in the next 6-12 months and my names attached to the trunk & limbs:2tsup:. Not sure what it's going to be like but the piece I have has a nice chocolate coloured heartwood with cream sapwood.

If anyone know's any more about the tree I'd be very interested in hearing about it. I found a couple of threads in here but not a lot of info. Going to try green turning a little bowl out of it shortly to see what happens:wink:

Corbs

[fineboxes]

Don't know how many Albizia trees there are, but many years ago I had to make a cabinet out of some a client had.

When we started to mchine it, myself and the machine operator were sent running from the machine shop with burning eyes and snot freely running out of our noses,
Very similar to the effects of tear gas if you've ever experienced that:C

Needless to say the cabinet was never built:no:

So if it's the same stuff make sure you have plenty of ventilation and know where the exits are.


Cheers

Steve

[corbs]

Nice to know, thanks for the headsup. I will see how my body reacts to the small piece and go from there. As for the tear gas, I have been exposed to it a few times (with work of course :rolleyes:)


...
Very similar to the effects of tear gas if you've ever experienced that:C ...

[Mulgabill]

Yes Corbs, Bootle (Wood in Australia) also states that the dust from some species of Albizia can be an irritant, but also mentions that it is easy to work especially the Albizia toona (Red Siris). Give it a try and see what happens.

[Scribbly Gum]

If it is Albizia toona - Mackay Cedar - it is a truly beautiful timber.
I have no problem with it while hand planing, but any dust is so irritating that it tortures the lungs and nasal cavity. Feels like you have breathed in needles.
I gave some to Caliban, who had the same reaction as me. We either gave it away or burnt what we had left.
Any powered work on this timber will likely produce dust particles.
Be very careful
SG

[corbs]

Definitely not Mackay Cedar... it's Albizia julibrissin (commonly called Silk Tree locally). There's plenty of them around town. Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizia)is the link to it in wikipedia.

[TTIT]

They grow everywhere out here having naturalized themselves enough to be declared a pest - and rightfully so :o. I was fine with it when I was turning it green but it took a few sessions on the dry stuff to realise it seriously affected my breathing :C Needless to say the whole lot went to the green waste. . . .and it is still the only timber out of 470 odd that I have reacted to :shrug:

[corbs]

Looks like it might be a little unfriendly to me when turning but will still get it and have a play. If it affects me too much I will move it on or burn it. I have a little piece ready to go on the lathe once I finish the bowl I'm currently working on:)

[wm460]

Albizia lebbeck , commonly called a Rain tree here could this be it?
Has a beautiful timber easy to work with and I have never had any problems with either wet or dry wood from this tree.


http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=albizia%20lebbeck&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAlbizia_lebbeck&ei=F7MtT9XjOsShiAeTlrXIDg&usg=AFQjCNETwiw9zBAdep9v5nnfaTjKJNzCpg

[dai sensei]

Albizia lebbeck , commonly called a Rain tree here could this be it?

No


... it's Albizia julibrissin (commonly called Silk Tree locally). There's plenty of them around town. Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizia)is the link to it in wikipedia.

:U

[corbs]

It's not pretty but here's a quick bowl I turned out of the branch I got yesterday. Nice colouring and grain. I didn't get all sneezy but it's still very green as you can see in some of the pics with wet patches after sanding. Will get the rest of the tree if I get a call when it's cut down and sit on it for a while to see how it dries and works later. I have put a coat of oil on it to see if that will help stop it cracking during drying.