Tree name wanted in Florida

My daughter lives in the Fort Lauderdale area or in Pembroke Pines to be exact. I cut some big limbs off of a tree in her front yard and took a couple big hunks of the limb home with me to Illinois. The bark on the tree is a very smooth silvery color. She or her neighbors had no idea what kind of tree it is, but practically everyone has a tree like this in their yard. It looks like it would turn nicely and appears to have a kind of tight grain. Do any of you folks in the Florida area have any idea what kind of wood/tree this might be. I realize I might be asking you to guess, but these trees are everywhere down there. Thanks for your help.

Reply to
Tom
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Tom - What did the leaves look like?

Some initial guesses. Ficus (aka strangler fig, aka banyan) or poinciana. Ficus is easy to turn but a pretty unstable wood. Expect a lot of movement / cracking after turning. Poinciana is a great wood for turning and looks particularly striking if you let it spalt.

MH

Reply to
Ma Hogany

I can't remember what the leaves looked like, but I do remember one thing about the tree and that is some of the roots were on top of the ground and presented a big problem when cutting the grass. The name ficus stands out. I know she had a large bush she said was a Ficus. It was about the same shape as a Lilac bush.

Reply to
Tom

After it flowers it drops round yellow pods and creates a mess on her driveway.

Reply to
Tom

I would guess that the "pods" are in fact figs. Sounds like it was a Strangler Fig (which is also called Banyan or Ficus) tree. We have a lot of great exotic woods available down here in Florida. We also have a some trees that don't make anybody's "want to turn" list. It will be interesting to hear how you do with it............

At least you didn't lug back any australian pine (aka Ironwood).

MH

Reply to
Ma Hogany

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