Having a large magnolia tree in the front lawn, I burn a LOT of branch woodevery year...Since it's been too warm for a fire lately, i saw a stack of freshly cut "twigs"and put one on the lathe out of curiosity.. couldn't have been more than 1 1/2"diameter and off the tree a week..It seemed to turn ok and was very white.. didn't sand very well, but it wasgreen.. *lol*Anyway, I did a few spindles to decorate the kindling pile and turned a few footlong sections for "blanks for something", which I put in paper bags..I've been watching the spindles in the kindling pile for 3 or 4 days now and sofar no splitting or obvious warping.. weird..Is this a common thing with magnolia, or did I just pick a lucky couple ofbranches??If I turn green plum, almond, pine, etc. and don't immediately bag it, it'scracked badly by the next morning..macPlease remove splinters before emailing

Hi MacI have three magnolia bowls in process right now. I have not noticed a whole lot of difference in the wood from other species with one notable exception. Since this is the first time I have ever turned magnolia, I have no idea whether it is this particular tree, or magnolia in general, but the wood has the distinct smell of rotting fish. I don't mean just a whiff either, I mean strong enough to turn my stomach while turning. If this were not a commission job from customer supplied wood, it would be in the burn pile for sure.

Anyone have experience turning Magnolia?

May 02, 2005 21 Replies

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Bill Grumbine 21 years ago

Thanks Arch. I always read, but I don't always have a lot to say...

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Ken Moon 21 years ago

SNIP >

=========== Deb, Sounds like good stock to practice painting, dying, gilding, etc.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

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