Tell me about Crepe Myrtle

[Jerry Hall]

I have access to a very old Crepe Myrtle. Up to 12" in diameter. Interesting twisted surface with deep furrows. Looks like nice dark wood in the center. Logs sitting in the rain. What do I have here and what is its nature and possibilities for turners? End grain bowls seem appealing. How does the pith behave?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Bill Boehme]

It loves to split. If you can get a thoroughly seasoned dry piece, it might be OK, but it does not have showy grain.

 

[Richard Preston]

Not the best

Hi Jerry,

Crepe M is more interesting when the ripple shows - the ripple vanishes when you cut the side into a curve.

It's too soft for me to work with. I'm not satisfied with the resulting surface.

 

[pfduffy]

Crape Myrtle

I use the cuttings of mine to make walking sticks. The wood is very hard but has some flex when dry. I don't find that the wood is very attractive for turnings although you can make nice finials that are nearly white. Phil

 

[Richard Baker]

Jerry,
Now try it yourself and see what you think firsthand. YMMV from others' and you may gain useful experience and information. Or not. Just an opinion.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Crepe Myrtle not so bad

Thanks Richard. Good advice. Here are some pictures of an end grain vase I did this morning. I like the irregular corrugated exterior of the logs and how they produce the floral shape. It was turned just under 1/8", microwaved dry in two passes to "steaming" and then lacquer seal and then Renaissance Wax. Drying exaggerated the potato chip look. All done from dripping wet to finish in 90 minutes. The old tree seems to have lots of voids and bark inclusions. So I am going to keep working with it, and grabbed a bunch of logs. But as mentioned above even in winter rains the cracking at the ends was immediate.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Crepe Myrtle vs mountain laurel

Crepe Myrtle vs mountain laurel

is mountain laurel any better to turn

 

[n7bsn]

...is mountain laurel any better to turn

Em Which Mountain Laurel?
Mountain-laruel (Spoonwood) is really small and might only make pens (native to the SE USA)

Oregon Myrtle is sometimes called Mountain Laurel (and sometimes called California Bay Laurel) does grow to sizes used and turning, and commonly turned in Northern CA and Oregon

I'm certain there might even be other's called Mountain Laurel

TTFN
Ralph

 

[Charlie Knighton]

mountain laurel

i believe this is the common name for this plant/// i have seen the wood sold at different places for turnings/// another name is rhondante????
i have misspelled it so far that my spell checker does not give me a different spelling 😀

whatever this is it is very pretty in late spring early summer when it blooms
i have seen red & violet

 

[n7bsn]

Charlie, that's probably Rhodendron .

The ones with the pink/white blossoms are probably native to the Pacifc North Wet. Most of the rest that you will see are native to China/Tibet/etc

While I have several growing here in the yard, I've never tried turning it. I know it shows up from time to time in the local clubs wood-auction, but I really don't have any experience with it other then growing it.

The largest variety that I know of is the King George. It really is almost a tree, with a truck that can be 6 inches across.

TTFN
Ralph

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Rhodendron .

yes, Rhodendron, you spell very well, i have seen some turned, i have not turned it either, it is hard to get any larger than 3 inches thick , it seems to finish very well

 

[KurtB]

Crepe Myrtle

I believe you left out a syllable: rhododendren. Try a search for this spelling!😉

 

[Charlie Knighton]

crept myltle

Rhododendren, the search came up with do you mean Rhododendron

tomorrow i will be able to spell it , the snow will help me