Anyone have any experience milling Japanese Pagoda Tree

[urbanlumberinc]

I just got my hands on 4 small to medium sized Japanese Pagoda trees. I can't seem to find any descriptions of the lumber anywhere. Has anyone on this board milled any, and if so is it worth the time and effort?

 

[aquan8tor]

Are you maybe talking about paulownia?? I've read a fair bit about it but don't personally have any experience with it. It grows very quickly, is considered a nuisance and invasive species in VA, and was considered very valuable at one time; I think it's similar to balsa wood, is very light, and is used in traditional japanese furniture making, Tansu.

 

[aggiewoodbutchr]

If it is paulownia, I have seen pictures of some beautiful furniture made from it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia

...or is it this..

http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4dmg/Trees/pagoda.htm

 

[McTree]

I think it is infact Japanese Pagoda like you said, but it was interesting to read about the Paulownia. I'm actually researching this same question. I have been "told" that the wood is good for something, but I can't find what it is, so it must not be that good.
Until I find out for sure, I'll be leaving the two I have a line on in Wichita in the ground.

 

[sawyerDave]

paulownia

I milled up some paulownia trees last fall. It is a very light wood, cream color, open grain, I think, the two that I cut up were were topped a year before I got them, and aerial termites were infesting them a little, already. I hear that the Japanese use the wood for traditional wedding boxes for the bride. They only buy logs that grow slow and even, and knot free.

 

[woodshop]

At one point years ago paulwonia was worth its weight in gold, the Japanese were buying up everything they could find. Some people were starting Paulownia plantations as it is a fast growning tree. Then the Chinese got into the market and the bottom dropped out. A very light wood, not all that easy to work due to it being so soft.

 

[urbanlumberinc]

I finally got around to milling up some pagoda tree, and the wood is really pretty, and quite hard. After some research, I found out that the Pagoda tree is a distant cousin to the locust. It has a smell kinda similar to honey locust, but not quite as sweet. I'll be milling the other logs up soon, and will have pics to post.