Magnolia question

[terry q]

I have found what I believe is Magnolia. It is a darkish cream color and smells faintly like Sassafras. Do I have Magnolia or not?

Terry

 

[redfishsc]

Various types of magnolia. I don't know the various names but any wood is worth a shot.

The magnolia I've turned is lovely--- the annular rings are bold but the wood is creamy (like aspen or maple). Polishes nicely. Kinda soft.


The bark smelled, to me, like menthol or eucalyptus leaves. The leaves are broad and VERY thick and waxy-feeling.

Two tips on magnolia

1) If making pens, cut into blanks and begin drying process IMMEDIATELY. If bowls, rough out ASAP and start drying. This wood will turn bluish-grey (ug-buttley!) b/c of the sap content.

2) Dry by soaking either the pen blanks or roughed bowls in denatured alcohol overnight. Wrap with a few layers of newspaper and dry in the house for a couple weeks and then in the open (no paper) for another week or two.


Enjoy. Mangnolia can be some pretty wood if you don't let it blue up on you.

 

[jthompson1995]

I've seen photos of magnolia wood that were varied in their appearance. I was fortunate to get some magnolia from a downed tree over the winter that was creamy white with lilac purple rings. i angle cut blanks out of it and this made gorgeous pens. These pens have been my fastest selling and get the most ooohs and aaahs of any pens I have made. The odor does remind me more of menthol or eucalyptus that sassafras, though. Sassafras is a little bit sweeter smell. You could have a differnt species of magnolia, though.

JT

 

[redfishsc]

Any pics of those pens?

 

[terry q]

Thanks for your replys. I am going to get the wood tonight and if I find anything pen worthy there just might be some offered here.

Terry

 

[jthompson1995]

Here is a Baron in the angle cut magnolia. The finish is not that great but it sold anyway. (my biggest sale yet $75)

<br />

JT

 

[Skye]

Who would have known that such a nice pen could come from such a pain in the *** tree?

 

[terry q]

Yesterday was unlucky. The Magnolia was at a lot where a tree service dumps and when I got there the pile was in its last stages of being burnt.[][][] I should have let them know I was coming back.

Terry