Got Mimosa?

[Richard Madison]

Just came across a couple of cants (2-1/2” x 6” x 3’) from a mimosa tree that I removed from in-laws’ front yard in April, 1991 and have been hauling around ever since. The ends were heavily waxed, showed minimal checking, and the cants were only slightly warped. Have always thought of mimosa as a “junk” tree, but after turning one small bowl and some “finial” practice (which turned out to be three little Christmas trees), can report that it is a fairly nice turning wood. Unremarkable appearance, but a tight grain structure that turns well, sands to a smooth, level finish, and when lacquered or just waxed looks very much like mesquite or a slightly lighter color of walnut. So don’t burn those mimosa logs. At the very least, it is some dandy practice wood.

[CW McClellan]

Where's the pics?

[Richard Madison]

Waiting for Santa to bring a nice camera. Unfortunately Santa's budget was massively overextended building the new shop building, so maybe no pictures. Sorry about that.

[Keel McDonald]

Richard,

Nice turning or not, (and no offense), but I HATE THEM!!! I can't get rid of them. I wish I knew a way to purge them from my landscape.

[lark leazar]

Yep, it's a pretty bad tree. If you ever make the mistake of parking under one when it's dropping those blooms (or whatever they are), you'll regret it. It's short lived and brittle. Can be pretty in some settings, however.

[Don Orr]

I took a large one down at my FIL's place in Queens, NY a few years ago. I thought it was nice wood with a great color and grain. Very tough on tools since it has a lot of silica. So far-knock on wood-it's the only wood thas has been at all irritaring to me. Made my nose itch a little.

[Richard Madison]

Well Keel, cut 'em down and make turning wood. And put up some hummingbird feeders to replace the trees.

Don, mine didn't seem that hard on tools, but probably varies with location and soil.

OK CW. Present very low end (actually lowest end) camera is XBrand. I think the model is FuzzyShot 1. We'll see how finial practice mimosa Christmas trees look.

[Tom Sherman]

Rich those trees look fine to me even with the fuzzy pic.

[Paul Engle]

How about some drawings ??? , well it was worth the shot....

[CW McClellan]

Hey cool --camera ok --like some say use what ya got
THANKS little trees cute

[Richard Madison]

Thanks Tom and CW. The wood is a lot prettier than the picture.

[Gene Michael]

Heard that nukes work well, but they leave a heckuva hole!