Translucent woods ( not only norfolk pine)

[Jeff Greenwood]

? Does anyone know of other woods that have translucency?
I am presently working on piercing and carving a turned lampshade made of Hackberry it is approx 1/8th thin and is translucent in many places . It was never soaked in anything (only preliminarily rubbed a little with lemon oil) and has been in my shed for about 4 years before turning it. Anyway I am interested to know of possible other woods.
Many thanks from Jeff.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

aspen would be another, grain runs both ways

 

[DMcIvor]

I have seen ponderosa pine turned thin and soaked in oil with much the same effect as Norfolk Island pine.

Don

 

[George Guadiane]

Birch, soft maple... From what I understand, virtually any light to white wood will go translucent, Hannes Michelsen turns all kinds of green wood hats and uses light to help insure his thinness is even.

 

[Barbara Gill]

Cottonwood.

 

[Jeff Greenwood]

Thanks a lot for your info and response

Great to know a few more woods I could use thanks for your replies
Best regards to all from Jeff

 

[roger dunn]

Translucent woods

Include Monkey Puzzle in the list. It looks very similar to Norfolk Island Pine.
Roger Dunn

 

[Rob Wallace]

Include Monkey Puzzle in the list. It looks very similar to Norfolk Island Pine.
Roger Dunn

"Monkey Puzzle" tree is in the same genus as Norfolk Island Pine, Auaucaria:

Monkey Puzzle is Araucaria araucana
Norfolk Island Pine is Araucaria heterophylla

Since these species are closely related, their wood characteristics are also similar.

Cheers,

(Prof.) Rob Wallace
[professional botanical nerd])
Iowa State University

 

[roger dunn]

Monkey puzzle and NIP

Who knew? Obviously you did Rob. Thanks. I took one Dendrology class about 1,000 years ago and this fact didn't stick. Thanks for smartening me up.

 

[Ruth Niles]

Cottonwood.

Barbara, is that the same wood as the Hybrid Poplar laying in my yard?