[Woodcarver] Fwd: cedar info.

[Joe Dillett]

Hi Bill

I don't know if Catalpa grows in New Mexico. Here in the Midwest farmers grew it for fence posts because it holds up very well to weather. Since metal fence posts became cheap and easy to install, catalpa has not been planted over the last 60 years. It is a messy tree with big leaves and long bean pods so catalpa is not used as an ornamental tree. I don't believe that catalpa is grown commercially for lumber although it seems to becoming more available in the specialty hardwood stores. Chainsaw carvers seem to know where to find. Back in the 60's many farms still had a stand of catalpa trees growing in rows off to the side of the house. Most always they are planed in 2 or 3 rows. That's how I spotted them. Most farmers were happy to have someone remove the trees that fell down. Now it's rare to see any standing at the edge of the farm yards because they died of old age.

Catalpa wood looks a lot like butternut, except the grain has a little sparkle to it. That's how I can tell the difference. It cuts a lot like butternut, soft and holds the detail well. Unlike butternut, catalpa holds up to the weather very well, which makes it an ideal wood for chainsaw carvers.

Joe Dillett     KC9VAU
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552

(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bill Ewing 
  To: [Woodcarver] 
  Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 9:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Fwd: cedar info.


  I lurk, but rarely contribute.


  Once I used aromatic red cedar for some scroll saw work, and I liked the way it turned out. I bought some T&G cedar panels used for lining cedar chests at Home Depot. I had leftovers for years. 


  Where can I get Catalpa? I remember 60 years ago we had a big catalpa tree in the backyard in upstate New York. It doesn't grow here. 


  . . . Bill, in Santa Fe (NM)



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  From: psherman <psherman at suite224.net>
  To: '[Woodcarver]' <woodcarver at carverscompanion.com> 
  Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 7:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Fwd: cedar info.



  Steve. Those totem poles are great up there.

  My daughter lives in Alaska. And she send me photos of the ones in Ketchikan.

  Not sure I spelled that right. lol.
  pat


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