Anyone ever heard of a kataba tree?

[KurtFromJersey]

I'm most likely spelling it wrong, but thats what the guy i got it from said. It had long round beans hanging on it bout a foot or more long. Kinda like locust beans but round and not flat. Is it worth milling? Thanks in advance.

 

[John Ellison]

Maybe Catalpa. Huge green worms in the summer.

 

[kevinj]

Catalpa

Maybe Catalpa. Huge green worms in the summer.

Thats what I would say also.
They have large white flowers in the springtime.

 

[woodshop]

Catalpa is easy to work in the woodshop, but soft, almost as soft as pine. Light brown, pretty wood. When sanded it takes on an almost shiny appearance. I have made picture frames from it among other things. Many people use it for carving. I have milled lots of catalpa, and it mills very easily, as easy as pine or cedar. Worth milling? Depends on if you would use it. I would.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

There's LOT's of them around here, i have one in my front yard that i planted years ago...

I'd mill it too..

Rob

 

[woodshop]

Just as an aside... if any of you grew up or worked on a farm, Catalpa has the unique property of smelling like dried hay when you run it through a bandsaw or table saw. Good earthy smell, I love working with it for just that reason. Again, some carvers use it for large carvings, and thus large clear blocks of it can bring a pretty penny IF you can find that particular niche market where you are.

 

[nytreeman]

yes catalpas giant leaves esp on young trees.Stand under one with a full canopy in the rain and never get a drop on you,I have some myself,the wood is supposed to be rot resistant ,they did made railroad ties out of them dont know if they still do

 

[Stihl-in-Ky]

Yes I also would suggest milling it if you will use it.As far as standing up to weather it is rated to last 25 years as a fence post.

 

[Judge]

Catawba

Catalpa. Called Catawba in lots of the south. Catalpa worms are some of the best fish bait you'll find.


Judge