Japanese native trees and timber
 

Friends, have been searching the net for information regarding native
Japanese trees and timber.

It is not out of idle curiosity, I have a commissioner who has
requested something made from any native Japanese tree, but I am unable
to track down any specifics.

Anyone any ideas?

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!

Sorry the word I was looking for was "indigenous" not native!

Peter.

Hi Pete

What about Japanese Zelkova (Zelkove serrata), very much like and
related to Elm, it's a introduced tree in North America and used in
Japan for furniture and timber, I don't know if any available in England
though.
Japanese Maple is another one, they are rather small usually as is
Japanese Yew, there are other species around, some are also native to
North Eastern Asia

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

Peter Charles Fagg wrote:
Friends, have been searching the net for information regarding native
Japanese trees and timber.

It is not out of idle curiosity, I have a commissioner who has
requested something made from any native Japanese tree, but I am unable
to track down any specifics.

Anyone any ideas?

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!

Peter Charles Fagg wrote:

Friends, have been searching the net for information regarding native
Japanese trees and timber.

It is not out of idle curiosity, I have a commissioner who has
requested something made from any native Japanese tree, but I am unable
to track down any specifics.

I don't know if you'll derive anything helpful from it or not, but if you go
to http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/, and click "common names" you'll get to a
search engine that lets you search wood species by country of origin. Note
that this uses not only the US government's database on wood species but
also the Australian government's, which contains a great deal of
information about Asian species.

Anyone any ideas?

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Thankyou Leo, I shall seek further information on the Zelkova, I too
have the feeling that the Maple may be too small for turnings,
especially bowls.

Peter,
There is also the Royal Empress Tree, also called Paulownia. A father
would plant it when a daughter was born, and by the time she was of
marrying age, the tree would be ready to harvest. It is also used as
the sound board for a stringed instrument which I don't know the name
of. At this time of year, they have large purple flowers on them.
robo hippy

Hi Robo

Paulownia tomentosa, also called Royal Paulownia, Princess tree, Empress
tree, is named for Anna Paulownia (1795-1865) of Russia, she became
princess of The Netherlands and is the ancestor of the the present Queen
Beatrix.
The tree is a native of China, the wood is very soft and white, and the
wood is exported to Japan for the making of special items like sandals
and some furniture items.
It is planted for ornamental reasons in the US , and also in Europe
where I am familiar whit it, doesn't grow where it is to cold in the
winter, none around up here in Ontario.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

robo hippy wrote:
Peter,
There is also the Royal Empress Tree, also called Paulownia. A father
would plant it when a daughter was born, and by the time she was of
marrying age, the tree would be ready to harvest. It is also used as
the sound board for a stringed instrument which I don't know the name
of. At this time of year, they have large purple flowers on them.
robo hippy

There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've seen a
small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast -- more
like a weed than a tree.

Bill

Leo Van Der Loo wrote:
Hi Robo

Paulownia tomentosa, also called Royal Paulownia, Princess tree, Empress
tree, is named for Anna Paulownia (1795-1865) of Russia, she became
princess of The Netherlands and is the ancestor of the the present Queen
Beatrix.
The tree is a native of China, the wood is very soft and white, and the
wood is exported to Japan for the making of special items like sandals
and some furniture items.
It is planted for ornamental reasons in the US , and also in Europe
where I am familiar whit it, doesn't grow where it is to cold in the
winter, none around up here in Ontario.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

robo hippy wrote:

Peter,
There is also the Royal Empress Tree, also called Paulownia. A father
would plant it when a daughter was born, and by the time she was of
marrying age, the tree would be ready to harvest. It is also used as
the sound board for a stringed instrument which I don't know the name
of. At this time of year, they have large purple flowers on them.
robo hippy

Hi Bill

Yes a weed tree I would call it also, it is rather pretty though when
flowering and would not mind one in my garden, if I could keep it in
check, come to think off it maybe better in my neighbors garden G.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

Bill Rubenstein wrote:
There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've seen a
small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast -- more
like a weed than a tree.

Bill

Leo Van Der Loo wrote:

Hi Robo

Paulownia tomentosa, also called Royal Paulownia, Princess tree,
Empress tree, is named for Anna Paulownia (1795-1865) of Russia, she
became princess of The Netherlands and is the ancestor of the the
present Queen Beatrix.
The tree is a native of China, the wood is very soft and white, and
the wood is exported to Japan for the making of special items like
sandals and some furniture items.
It is planted for ornamental reasons in the US , and also in Europe
where I am familiar whit it, doesn't grow where it is to cold in the
winter, none around up here in Ontario.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

robo hippy wrote:

Peter,
There is also the Royal Empress Tree, also called Paulownia. A father
would plant it when a daughter was born, and by the time she was of
marrying age, the tree would be ready to harvest. It is also used as
the sound board for a stringed instrument which I don't know the name
of. At this time of year, they have large purple flowers on them.
robo hippy

In article ,
Leo Van Der Loo wrote:

What about Japanese Zelkova (Zelkove serrata), very much like and
related to Elm, it's a introduced tree in North America and used in
Japan for furniture and timber, I don't know if any available in England
though.
Japanese Maple is another one, they are rather small usually as is
Japanese Yew, there are other species around, some are also native to
North Eastern Asia

Japanese Dogwood, aka Kousa Dogwood, native to Japan, Korea and China).

"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message
...
There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've seen a
small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast -- more
like a weed than a tree.

Grows almost as fast as Kudzu?

George wrote:
"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message
...
There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the
US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've
seen a
small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast --
more
like a weed than a tree.

Grows almost as fast as Kudzu?

The Paulownia tree project was started in my home county. I think it
was mostly a scam, the people that sold the young seedlings to farmers
charged big prices, and promised big returns. The mature trees were to
be sold to pulp and paper companies, but the farmers say they are not
able to find a market for the trees. I am only telling you what
neighbors have told me. When the trees are harvested you do not have
to replant them they will regrow from the existing roots of the cut
tree. Sounds to good to be true, right? The wood is cream colored and
has a hole in the center of the tree about the size of a fifty cent
piece. One of the buyers is now a judge in the superior court, big
headache for the sellers.
Nashville, GA

"Glenn" wrote in message
ups.com...
The Paulownia tree project was started in my home county. I think it
was mostly a scam, the people that sold the young seedlings to farmers
charged big prices, and promised big returns. The mature trees were to
be sold to pulp and paper companies, but the farmers say they are not
able to find a market for the trees. I am only telling you what
neighbors have told me. When the trees are harvested you do not have
to replant them they will regrow from the existing roots of the cut
tree. Sounds to good to be true, right? The wood is cream colored and
has a hole in the center of the tree about the size of a fifty cent
piece. One of the buyers is now a judge in the superior court, big
headache for the sellers.
Nashville, GA


Of course, we have poplar here, so that perpetual harvest is well looked
after.

I fell prey to one of the back-to-the-land fads a number of years ago,
receiving and planting some Jerusalem Artichokes in one part of my garden.
When you speak of weeds, you're speaking of this. Tasty tubers, but any
neglected piece carried elsewhere by the plow will sprout. I swear any
piece of stem will, too.

I was in my third spring of eradication effort when I had a visit by the JW
ladies. Fortunately I was not cursing at the time. I filled them each a
large bag of overwintered root, extolling the beauty of the flower as well
as the taste they had experienced.

They never came back....

A scam -- isn't that always the way. I saw some boards which had been
kiln dried and the guy who dried it said that it dried quickly and
without any defect problems. But it was soft, light in color, light
weight and not at all distinguished in any way. Also, because of its
quick growing characteristics, it could very easily crowd out native
species. The comparison to kudsu is appropriate -- another failed
botanical experiment.

Bill

Glenn wrote:
George wrote:

"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message
om...

There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the

US.

I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've

seen a

small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast --

more

like a weed than a tree.

Grows almost as fast as Kudzu?


The Paulownia tree project was started in my home county. I think it
was mostly a scam, the people that sold the young seedlings to farmers
charged big prices, and promised big returns. The mature trees were to
be sold to pulp and paper companies, but the farmers say they are not
able to find a market for the trees. I am only telling you what
neighbors have told me. When the trees are harvested you do not have
to replant them they will regrow from the existing roots of the cut
tree. Sounds to good to be true, right? The wood is cream colored and
has a hole in the center of the tree about the size of a fifty cent
piece. One of the buyers is now a judge in the superior court, big
headache for the sellers.
Nashville, GA

In article . com,
"Glenn" wrote:

....

The Paulownia tree project was started in my home county. I think it
was mostly a scam, the people that sold the young seedlings to farmers
charged big prices, and promised big returns. The mature trees were to
be sold to pulp and paper companies, but the farmers say they are not
able to find a market for the trees. I am only telling you what
neighbors have told me. When the trees are harvested you do not have
to replant them they will regrow from the existing roots of the cut
tree. Sounds to good to be true, right? The wood is cream colored and
has a hole in the center of the tree about the size of a fifty cent
piece. One of the buyers is now a judge in the superior court, big
headache for the sellers.
Nashville, GA


I also grow and have used Paulowinia, while the people in your area
maybe having trouble finding a market, it does exist. The problem would
be getting in touch with the right people. I know when I have bought the
wood it was real spendy. A mature tree, cut for lumber, in Japan, sells
for several thousand dollars.

I don't think I would use it for turning, because it is soo soft.

But, yes it will copse (sp, grow from the roots).

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

Ralph E Lindberg wrote:
I also grow and have used Paulowinia, while the people in your area
maybe having trouble finding a market, it does exist. The problem would
be getting in touch with the right people. I know when I have bought the
wood it was real spendy. A mature tree, cut for lumber, in Japan, sells
for several thousand dollars.

I don't think I would use it for turning, because it is soo soft.

But, yes it will copse (sp, grow from the roots).

I use it for turning any chance I get. It's harder than pine, more
like poplar, but otherwise much like it and looks somewhat like a
light walnut. Easy to turn and comes out looking nice. Good
present wood. Free is best, and when people chop them out of
their yards, that's what they cost.

Dave in Fairfax
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.Patinatools.org/

Peter, While posted to Northern Japan with the US Forces I turned a
form of Japanese Cedar. Very soft. Hoever the most interesting thing I
turned was something they called "Y-E-CON" I don't know the proper
spelling. It is very close to the Mesquite I turn here in Texas. They
use it for cross members on electric power lines. I was told because it
does not rot. I was in an area with much snow and the holes drilled
for mounting would fill with water and freeze. When the power co. would
replace split timber because of freezing I would collect the discarded
sections. It dulls tools quickly but turnes and finishes beautifully.
It is redish brown in color.
Hope this helps.
Bob Edwards, San Antonio

wrote in message
oups.com...
Peter, While posted to Northern Japan with the US Forces I turned a
form of Japanese Cedar. Very soft. Hoever the most interesting thing I
turned was something they called "Y-E-CON" I don't know the proper
spelling.

Bob Edwards, San Antonio


Wakkanai?

I got some Japanese Sampora - that's the name I was told, anyway - from
the garden of someone my son rides for. They cut it down, he got me a
piece about 6" around & a couple of feet long. It was nice wood. Not
terribly hard, nice grain with a fair amount of character. Sanded down
very smooth. I'd say it was about as hard as Poplar, but it's been a
year. I recall thinking it would be nice to have larger stock to build
something out of.

On the Paulownia, there's some grown around here in Maryland, US. I've
also heard it was a scam - read that somewhere on the Internet too -
but one old guy that's local told me he raised & sold it successfully,
so I think it must be tough to find a good buyer. He also said
something about how it was cut & shipped - the buyers were very
particular about something, can't recall what.

Jim

"George" george@least wrote in message
...

"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message
...
There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think, and I've seen a
small project in Southern Illinois. It grows incredibly fast -- more
like a weed than a tree.

Grows almost as fast as Kudzu?
=======================
George,
I don't think anything grows faster than Kudzu, or covers more completely.
Bamboo might come close.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX

In article ,
Dave in Fairfax wrote:

....

I use it for turning any chance I get. It's harder than pine, more
like poplar, but otherwise much like it and looks somewhat like a
light walnut. Easy to turn and comes out looking nice. Good
present wood. Free is best, and when people chop them out of
their yards, that's what they cost.

Your winters must be quite a bit warmer, we have enough cold nights
that it just survives (Seatte). Years (and years) ago my parents had
some, it top froze every year and they never did get blooms.

But it will grow almost anywhere, reading up on it I learned that it's
being planted on mine tailings... where it grows

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

Ralph E Lindberg wrote:
Your winters must be quite a bit warmer, we have enough cold nights
that it just survives (Seatte). Years (and years) ago my parents had
some, it top froze every year and they never did get blooms.
snip

Not to hear my parents tell the story. We get plenty of snow down
here in VA, nothing like we had in MI, but more than you get in
the Seattle area. It's much colder for a lot longer as well.
When I look at the weather map most nights, it looks like we match
temps in the spring and fall, you're colder during the summer and
warmer during the winter. Don't know what to tell you. I piled a
bunch of it up and so did a friend of mine, loaded up my F-150,
for free.

Dave in Fairfax
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.Patinatools.org/

This discussion lead to (re)do some research and found some hype sites,
but if I go to http://www.paulownia.org/ I do find a listing of mills at
http://www.paulownia.org/directory.html#mill

I also noted an Ausy web-site that noted that Paulownia grown in warmer
climes is not suitable for lumber, as it grows too fast/soft. While
cooler climes is better.

Just guessing on what they meant in climes, I would guess that "cooler"
would include most of the USA

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

Peter I found this site

http://www.nihon-kogeikai.com/TEBIKI-E/5.html

which may be of interest has Japenese Craft Pieces from Japenese Woods
and goes on the give information on various Japenese Woods further down
the page.

Richard
http://www.laymar-crafts.co.uk

My thanks to everyone for contributing. I had never thought that my
simple request would develop into such an interesting discussion.
There are many trains of thought that are surely going to prove useful.

Thanks again, it is always reassuring to realise just how many friends
one has across the globe who are indulging the woodturning passion.

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!

George wrote in message on Sunday 01 May 2005
08:39 am:

I was in my third spring of eradication effort when I had a visit by the
JW
ladies. Fortunately I was not cursing at the time. I filled them each a
large bag of overwintered root, extolling the beauty of the flower as well
as the taste they had experienced.

They never came back....

They're waiting for you to read the literature they left.

On Sun, 01 May 2005 03:04:04 GMT, Bill Rubenstein
wrote:

There have been several attempts to grow this commercially in the US.
I've heard of a project somewhere in Georgia, I think,

Jimmy Carter (yes, the woodworker and submariner) grows a substantial
quantity of it.

Grows well, but needs a reliable water supply, or so I'm told.


--
Cats have nine lives, which is why they rarely post to Usenet.