[Woodcarver] Mansonia

[WorkingInWood]

Hi Bill,
Mansonia (Mansonia altissimai) is not a member of the Juglans family of trees to which American Black Walnut  (and Butternut) belongs.  The two species should not be confused.  I don't believe it is even a nut tree.  It's only claim to the walnut name is the color of the finished lumber.  Mansonia (as with many other exotics)is truly hazardous as the following warning shows:
Toxic Constituents
Fine dust produced from machining operations is reported to be extremely irritating, especially to respiratory passages. The bark of the wood also contains mansonin, a cardiac poison of the digitalis group. Use of face masks and barrier skin creams is recommended. 

Hope this helps.

Larry





----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bill Judt 
To: [Woodcarver] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Wood to carve spoons for cooking



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Larry:


Other NUT woods... like "African Walnut", otherwise known as "Mansonia". It is considered a walnut substitute. I consider it to be TOXIC.
Go to:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/mansonia.htm


I used to have some of this in my shop, until I cut the wood on the bandsaw and inhaled some of the dust. My respiratory system went into high alert... nose running, eyes watering, sneezing, etc.


Never used it again, BTW.


Bill


My books are for sale at: http://wwwoodcarver.com/Books/index.html
W.F. Judt,
46 Harvard Cres,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7H3R1
PH: 306-373-6649
bjudt at sasktel.net
Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com




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