Catalpa Lumber

jdtuttle · February 27, 2013, 06:47:26 AM

Any one have experience, knowledge using this lumber. I have an opportunity to get 20 or 30 mature trees & was hoping to build a kiln with it.
jim

Sawmill Man · February 27, 2013, 07:06:49 AM

Around here it is fast growing and weak. Not suitable for any structural work.

francismilker · February 27, 2013, 07:08:04 AM

We have an abundance of it here in OK growing as shade trees in yards. It is beautiful craft wood but awful weak. Most of it has metal in it. I do think it's awful pretty though.

rooster 58 · February 27, 2013, 08:12:39 AM

I saw some that was used to make a bench. I thought it was butternut. It was sweet lookin wood ;)

york · February 27, 2013, 08:16:23 AM

My lady friend in pa. had a bunch of them on her lot-i cut them all but one and used them for fill material,there not even any good for firewood...albert

Ron Wenrich · February 27, 2013, 08:21:03 AM

I've seen it used as paneling. It was a nice look. These were made into 1x6s, dried and tongue and grooved. I believe they also used it in some cabinets.

There's probably better alternatives to catalpa for construction.

Todd · February 27, 2013, 08:23:25 AM

I've sawn some for carvers..they loved it.
Found this on the web..don't know if its just marketing what they have or not.. ???
http://www.walkerssawmill.com/Catalpa.html

terrifictimbersllc · February 27, 2013, 08:27:02 AM

Images of sawing catalpa wood, in Preston, CT. identification by customer, not me. My impression is that it is a lighter weight, fairly hard, light brown wood which would be good for fine woodworking. Haven't used it myself.

Larry · February 27, 2013, 08:45:36 AM

I've cornered the catalpa bowl turning market. Unfortunately there are no buyers in that market at present. But there is bound to be an uptick at any time. :D :D

I've also heard it makes great siding. I think it should make good landscaping timbers. I almost have that market cornered too. ;D

Tree Feller · February 27, 2013, 10:15:35 AM

Those are some nice Catalpa bowl blanks. How much do you get for one?

Larry · February 27, 2013, 10:23:15 AM

Haven't sold one yet. :D I put an add on craigslist few weeks ago and asked for $8 to $12 based on size. As of yet I haven't even had one inquiry.

But I'm sure the market will turn around soon. :D :D

mesquite buckeye · February 27, 2013, 10:57:25 AM

Did it bother you when you cut it up?

We have a related species in the SW that is reported to induce asthma when being cut.

JERICO · February 27, 2013, 11:05:26 AM

I've got a 15' tall one in my front yard, not really big enough to cut.
As far as what I'm reading here now, it'll be better for me to just keep getting the catalpa worms (black and yellow caterpillars) off the limbs for catching catfish, bream, etc than to expect to cut it up.

I've considered it an undesirable ornamental tree, but I do like gathering the caterpillars that COVER it and freeze them for using as bait when we jug fish.
They are big and juicy.
Anybody else ever fish with these?

Tree Feller · February 27, 2013, 03:14:37 PM

Quote from: JERICO on February 27, 2013, 11:05:26 AM
Anybody else ever fish with these?

Absolutely. You can prune the limbs back to the main trunk in late winter before it starts putting out new buds (similar to trimming a Crepe Myrtle) and the new growth will be reachable for picking the worms.

Another tip: Blanch the worms before freezing them and they will retain their green color instead of turning black when they are thawed. ;)

Bogue Chitto · February 27, 2013, 05:10:11 PM

If you look just to the right of my son and the tractor, I have one growing by the mill. Attracts lots of fishing worms.

west penn · February 27, 2013, 06:12:15 PM

catalpa is rot resistant and therefore is a favorite with duck decoy carvers. maybe not the best for construction lumber but might be good for incorporating into kiln construction because of its' rot resistance. very pretty wood and dries easily.

WDH · February 27, 2013, 09:27:46 PM

Larry,

My experience is that bowl turners do not like to buy wood. They want you to give it to them

. They are scroungers (no offense intended to the resident bowl turners :

).

hackberry jake · February 27, 2013, 10:12:33 PM

I have never turned a bowl but I am going to go get a blank from Larry and try it out

WDH · February 27, 2013, 10:44:55 PM

I bet that you can get one cheap if there is an "Inventory Reduction" sale ;D.

kensfarm · February 27, 2013, 10:57:16 PM

When I was a kid.. we use to collect the worms in 5 gallon buckets and stuff the buckets w/ leaves. The tree will replace all the follage after the worms strip the trees. The catfish just couldn't resist them.. the freezing really toughens the worms up. Good times.. good memories.

jdtuttle · February 28, 2013, 06:10:43 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to look at the trees tomorrow. He has 3 down now and will be cutting the rest soon. I have a good friend that carves larger sculptures for a living. Some of the trees are 3' to 4' at the base so I'll see if he's interested too. If it's rot resistant I think i'll use it for siding & possibly make some paneling too.
jim

Jemclimber · February 28, 2013, 06:29:59 AM

Hey JD, check around with chainsaw carvers if your buddy doesn't want them. A few around here ask for it specifically. Easy to carve and rot resistant as others have said. Good luck.