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Chinaberry

Paul M. Kaplowitz

Paul M. Kaplowitz

Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
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Location
North Charleston, SC
I live across the Cooper River from historic Charlestown, SC. Many of the trees I get are from downtown. Since Charleston has been a major seaport for the last four hundred years, we have trees from all over the world. I just got a Chinaberry that was fourteen inches in diameter. What I can see from the ends looks very interesting. Has anyone turned Chinaberry and what can you tell me about it? Another tree I got is called a popcorn tree because it produces clusters of popcorn looking seeds in the fall. I have no idea what it's correct name is or anything about it. Thanks
 
I have no idea about the "popcorn" tree, but maybe if you describe or post pictures of the leaves and bark and the typical growing shape of the tree, somebody might be able to help. I have turned some chinaberry. It is a relatively fast growing tree with wide growth rings and softer than most hardwoods. It seems to turn fairly easily. I think that it warps more than most trees when drying so take that into account when roughing out bowls. I have not turned enough of it to say how it is about cracking, but I have not encountered any problems in the little bit that I have turned. I have not encountered any chinaberry with what I would call "interesting" grain, but at the same time it is still much better than having no figure.

Here is an old post about turning chinaberry.
 
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Hi Paul:

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)is in the same family as mahogany, the family Meliaceae, and the wood should be fairly stable when dry and behave not unlike mahogany. It will likely be a bit more pale with a more pronounced figure. I don't know if it is also photosensitive like mahogany is, so I would try a quick experiment to cut some wood (face grain), cover half of it with some aluminum foil, and leave it exposed to sunlight for a few days. If it is photosensitive, the exposed area should be considerably darker than the covered portion. I have not turned it myself, but have seen some nice projects made with it. NOTE that the SEEDS and LEAVES ARE TOXIC.

The Popcorn Tree is probably the same as the China tallow tree (Triadica [Sapium] sebiferum), a relative of the poinsettia (Family Euphorbiaceae). I know it as a potential US invasive species (native to E. Asia), and a plant that has some potential for use in producing biodiesel from its waxy seed surfaces. Given that it is a fairly fast growing tree, and is related to euphorbias, I don't think the wood will be particularly dense or that spectacular as to figure (....if it is please let us know). As with many members of the euphorbia family, the sap of the tree should be treated as potentially toxic; avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth, etc., since some members of this family can produce reactions of contact dermatitis or worse.

Hope this helps!

Rob Wallace
(Botanist at Iowa State University and woodturner whenever I can....)
 
China berry will have a pronounced grain pattern.

It think of it as a softer hardwood. There is big difference in the early/late wood as far as hardness.
If you want to do some liming wax it is a great wood for that.

It turns nicely when it is green.

I've only turned a few bowls, hollow forms. It makes great hollow ball ornaments.

Al
 
hockenbery said:
... If you want to do some liming wax it is a great wood for that....
Click to expand...

I was going to to suggest that since it is ring porous.

When I was about six years old I got a very severe dermatitis reaction from exposure to the watery sap of a chinese tallow tree. For several days I could not open my eyes because of the very inflamed watery blisters on my face.
 
It turns good, but has a tendency to rot fast if the ends aren't sealed. The sap is posinous😱, but the honey bees love the trees when they are in bloom. It makes great honey.🙂 Also when the berrys (seeds) are green they are great ammo for a sling shot when we were kids.

If you burn the wood be ready for a very bad stink, down here we call it "Spite Wood" when we burn it.


Gary:cool2:
 
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Paul, I have turned lots of Chinaberry. Here in Hawaii we call it Pride of India. In stress or crotch sections the curl and be wonderful. It can spalt nicely but can rot quick so catching it can be tricky from good wood to compost. The wood will vary from the climate it is grown in. Out here in the wet ara it has wide growth rings and as has been said big pores. And if dyed a color and sealed 1st it is a super wood for liming wax. The larger trees are prone to center rot. Cuts nicely. Does move a bit in the drying. Not a large amount. I think its pretty and worth your time to turn it.
 
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