wondering about species of White Wood

[fzz]

i have worked with wood that seems white in color:

some types of maple are "white"; aspen is "white"; "jelutong is "white"

can anyone recommend other types of wood you have found to be "White"?

thanks for your time.

 

[Don O. Jr.]

White woods

How about Holly and maybe Birch, or Cottonwood.

 

[MichaelMouse]

A lot of them, including two mentioned here - aspen and birch - are white until you put finish on them. I rather suspect it's the same with cottonwood, being cousin to the poplars. The soft or open-grained ones suck up finish, assuming the color of same. Dense woods accept finish only at the surface, and can be kept whiter.

If you're willing to accept water-based finishes or lacquer, you can get longer-lasting whites. Oils are pretty much out, and even shellac imparts some color.

 

[john lucas]

I used a wood once that a friend called White mahagony. I don't remember what it was. It looked and felt just like mahagony and had about the same hardness and denstity but it was whiter than maple. I'd like to get some more. It worked exceptionally well when laminated with mahagony because they both sanded and finished the same way.

 

[Ziffy]

I had to cut down an old Rose of Sharon, in my front yard ( I hated it and was happy to see it go...) I got several feet of 2"-3" diameter wood; very, very white, with very small and tight growth rings and virtually no pith. I think I will use it to make some 'magic wands' for the local wizard and witch apprentices in my area.

 

[Ed Koenig]

Wood Bleach

Have you considered bleaching your wood? You can achieve striking effects with many woods.

Ed

 

[Mark Mandell]

Another would be Basswood, sometimes call "Lynnwood" or "Linden" which is the carver's dream. It is light, but totally blah for character. The sapwood will usually be a rather milky white, although the heartwood gets darker.

It bleaches well with 2-part A/B bleach, but does not, from my experience, take stain well. A self-sealing acrylic varnich like Fuhr 355, or good waterborne lacquer such as Target Ultima will keep it white, but the bleach must be properly neutralized.

Mark

 

[Mr. Don]

White wood

If you want a white wood that is harder than Basswood, go with the Madrone.
Turns and carves very well, if you can get it to stay put!! I find boiling is best way to do this. Otherwise the stuff will warp and crack!!!! Well worth the time. I have boiled lots of this wood with VERY high results!!!

 

[Ron Warman]

White wood

I find holly to be pretty white also some ash and horse chestnut, american sycamore.

Ron

 

[RonW]

Dogwood is a beautiful white.

 

[Bobby]

What about hackberry? I have several trees that blew down that I am going to have to turn or burn.

 

[Joe Herrmann]

Hackberry turns well and spalts readily.

Joe

 

[Jeff Jilg]

Hackberry is pretty soft, but like Joe said it spalts readily. Don't let it spalt too far or the whole piece will turn gray.

 

[pencheff]

Turn it, don't burn it

What about hackberry? I have several trees that blew down that I am going to have to turn or burn.

... and you live where so we can come help you save the stuff from going into the fireplace?

🙄

 

[fzz]

thanks for the great replies

all very helpful stuff here.
thanks for your generous advice.
fzz