Banana Wood

[Alan Morrison]

I bought this Purpleheart at an auction last night which came with this other piece which someone labeled 'Banana Wood'.
It is clearly not from a banana tree as it is solid timber, but I have not come across that name before.
Any ideas what timber it is????

 

[derekdd]

Interesting. Banana trees are pretty fast growing and I think the wood is more like black palm or bamboo, but I don't know.

Looking it up, I didn't find anything that really helped answer your question.

Maybe someone else will have a better idea.

 

[egnald]

I'm guessing that Banana wood was someone's made up name because they didn't know and the wood looks yellow - I know that's the kind of answers I usually come up with if I don't know. Dave

PS My shot at a real guess, not knowing how hard it is or how it smells and stuff, would be Osage Orange.

 

[Brian G]

My "n = 2" sample size of anecdotes suggests it might be canary wood.

Visually, it has the appearance of canary wood and it looks similar to some chunks I have. When I bought it from the Woodcraft near me, the store employee told me I'd like it because it smells like bananas when turned.

I didn't think so, but it didn't take long for it to go from yellow to brown like a banana on the counter.

 

[Woodchipper]

Looks like Osage Orange to me.

 

[egnald]

Although I thought it looked like Osage Orange, I suppose it could also be Yellowheart or Canarywood. I've also and Mulberry that was pretty yellow like that. There is also a yellow Alaskan cedar that I have seen in larger dimensions, like 2x4. - Dave

 

[monophoto]

The end grain looks a bit like canary wood, but would need to see freshly cut side/face grain to get a better idea. Better yet, try turning it - canary wood has a very distinct 'sweet' odor.

 

[jrista]

Hmm. Are we sure banana wood isn't like a normal hardwood?

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Looks pretty much like other wood too me, if this really is banana wood.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Looks like Osage Orange to me.

My shot at a real guess, not knowing how hard it is or how it smells and stuff, would be Osage Orange.

Thanks for your responses.
Here's a photograph of a piece that I cut with a piece of Osage Orange in front.

The end grain looks a bit like canary wood, but would need to see freshly cut side/face grain to get a better idea. Better yet, try turning it - canary wood has a very distinct 'sweet' odor.

 

[Alan Morrison]

The end grain looks a bit like canary wood, but would need to see freshly cut side/face grain to get a better idea. Better yet, try turning it - canary wood has a very distinct 'sweet' odor.

Louie, I don't know Canarywood so can't compare.
As you can see from the photograph of my milled piece the blank shows reddish hues.
Would that be consistant with Canarywood?
Alan

 

[ccccchunt]

Banana plants are plants. They are actually related to the onion family. The pulp of a banana stalk is like a green onion structure. I tried and failed at drying and stabilizing some about 20 years. They are mostly water and you lose all cell structure when dried.

 

[monophoto]

Louie, I don't know Canarywood so can't compare.
As you can see from the photograph of my milled piece the blank shows reddish hues.
Would that be consistant with Canarywood?
Alan

Alan

That looks very much like word that I have turned that came labeled as canary wood.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Alan

That looks very much like word that I have turned that came labeled as canary wood.

Louie, thanks for your imput. I checked out Canarywood on the Wood Database and now am confident that what I have is Canarywood.

 

[SecLoSo]

I bought this Purpleheart at an auction last night which came with this other piece which someone labeled 'Banana Wood'.
It is clearly not from a banana tree as it is solid timber, but I have not come across that name before.
Any ideas what timber it is????View attachment 355070View attachment 355071

Canary wood is commonly called banana wood enjoy its lovely to turn