I imagine that every known timber has been turned by somebody,
somewhere. Some Floridians turn ficus, Australian pine, melaleuca, slash
pine and such. I don't, but I am thrifty and not pleased with waste. How
about turning Brazilian Pepper, aka Florida Holly and Christmas Berry?

The trees are subtropical, but aren't native to Fla. They grow rapidly
and have taken over here as trash trees. I see many logs from lot
clearing along the streets and of course I wonder about turning them.
I've heard that there is some toxicity involved, especially on burning
the leaves. Similar to the toxic effects of Oleander?

Before I waste time and poison myself, I'd appreciate some advice from
anyone who has experience in turning this "illegal Brazilian immigrant".



Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

"Arch" wrote in message
...

I imagine that every known timber has been turned by somebody,
somewhere. Some Floridians turn ficus, Australian pine, melaleuca, slash
pine and such. I don't, but I am thrifty and not pleased with waste. How
about turning Brazilian Pepper, aka Florida Holly and Christmas Berry?

The trees are subtropical, but aren't native to Fla. They grow rapidly
and have taken over here as trash trees. I see many logs from lot
clearing along the streets and of course I wonder about turning them.
I've heard that there is some toxicity involved, especially on burning
the leaves. Similar to the toxic effects of Oleander?

Before I waste time and poison myself, I'd appreciate some advice from
anyone who has experience in turning this "illegal Brazilian immigrant".



Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


if it's the same tree that I have growing here, I'd say "don't bother" if
you want a classic form - but if you can get some crotch and turn it wet and
leave it a little thick (say 1/4 or 3/16 inch) and sand it while it is wet,
it will shrink nicely and can be interesting. The wood is plain and soft,
about as interesting as sugar pine, less interesting than Fir. the sap can
cause a rash in some folks - I'm alergic to poison oak, but this tree
doesn't bother me (much).

Use it for "art", not "craft", in other words

"Arch" wrote in message
...

I imagine that every known timber has been turned by somebody,
somewhere. Some Floridians turn ficus, Australian pine, melaleuca, slash
pine and such. I don't, but I am thrifty and not pleased with waste. How
about turning Brazilian Pepper, aka Florida Holly and Christmas Berry?

The trees are subtropical, but aren't native to Fla. They grow rapidly
and have taken over here as trash trees. I see many logs from lot
clearing along the streets and of course I wonder about turning them.
I've heard that there is some toxicity involved, especially on burning
the leaves. Similar to the toxic effects of Oleander?

Before I waste time and poison myself, I'd appreciate some advice from
anyone who has experience in turning this "illegal Brazilian immigrant".



Hmmmmmmmmmmm, using illegal immigrants as turning stock... I think that may
just kill two birds with one stone.

B.

Arch,
Brazilian Pepper is Schinus terebinthifolius which is in theAnacardiaceae
family which includes cashew, pistachio, mango, sumac, and poison-ivy!
This is why some people react badly to it.
It can be an excellent turning wood. It can move quite a bit when drying
and sometimes will just tear itself apart.
The burls can often pull themselves open to a fantastic lace effect.
It is not for functional saladware.
I've turned some California Pepper which is closely related, and it turned
out pretty well:
http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...I1M/sid/G6kOAI
http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...I1N/sid/G6kOAI
http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...JV0/sid/G6kOAI
http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...VGJ/sid/G6kOAI

And some links to a few other pepperwood turnings:
http://www.aawforum.org/photopost/sh...php?photo=4475
http://www.aawforum.org/photopost/sh....php?photo=622
http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...il/1/~/web.jpg

Matt

"Arch" wrote in message
...

I imagine that every known timber has been turned by somebody,
somewhere. Some Floridians turn ficus, Australian pine, melaleuca, slash
pine and such. I don't, but I am thrifty and not pleased with waste. How
about turning Brazilian Pepper, aka Florida Holly and Christmas Berry?

The trees are subtropical, but aren't native to Fla. They grow rapidly
and have taken over here as trash trees. I see many logs from lot
clearing along the streets and of course I wonder about turning them.
I've heard that there is some toxicity involved, especially on burning
the leaves. Similar to the toxic effects of Oleander?

Before I waste time and poison myself, I'd appreciate some advice from
anyone who has experience in turning this "illegal Brazilian immigrant".



Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

I got some pieces of a 'Brazillian Pepper tree" from an urban
forrester from LA some years back. It was moderatly dense, no smell,
and was the color of spumoni ice cream, pink, brown, and pistaschio
green. Doesn't look like any of this other stuff though.
robo hippy

On Mar 1, 4:42*pm, "Matt Heffron" wrote:
Arch,
Brazilian Pepper is Schinus terebinthifolius which is in theAnacardiaceae
family which includes cashew, pistachio, mango, sumac, and poison-ivy!
This is why some people react badly to it.
It can be an excellent turning wood. *It can move quite a bit when drying
and sometimes will just tear itself apart.
The burls can often pull themselves open to a fantastic lace effect.
It is not for functional saladware.
I've turned some California Pepper which is closely related, and it turned
out pretty well:http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/...VGJ/sid/G6kOAI

And some links to a few other pepperwood turnings:http://www.aawforum.org/photopost/sh...DB/sid/G6kOAI/...

Matt

"Arch" wrote in message

...





I imagine that every known timber has been turned by somebody,
somewhere. Some Floridians turn ficus, Australian pine, melaleuca, slash
pine and such. I don't, but I am thrifty and not pleased with waste. How
about turning Brazilian Pepper, aka Florida Holly and Christmas Berry?

The trees are subtropical, but aren't native to Fla. They grow rapidly
and have taken over here as trash trees. I see many logs from lot
clearing along the streets and of course I wonder about turning them.
I've heard that there is some toxicity involved, especially on burning
the leaves. Similar to the toxic effects of Oleander?

Before I waste time and poison myself, I'd appreciate some advice from
anyone who has experience in turning this "illegal Brazilian immigrant"..


Turn to Safety, *Arch
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings