Although few woodworkers become acquainted with the wood of the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), that wasn't always so.Back when the United States was still a new nation, and its western frontier was just beyond the Allegheny Mountains, sycamore was the giant of the forest. The sycamore shows the process more openly than many other trees. Forum Responses (Sawing and Drying Forum) From contributor A: Quartersawn it is beautiful but not always easy to get good ray fleck. For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! Stack wood in a pyramid or a square, or pile it loosely in a heap. The wood is milled into thin narrow layers and the bark into strips to make woven baskets and other decorative objects. I am sawing some sycamore for a customer and he's wondering what to use it for. The wood is mostly used for veneer, plywood, cabinetry, interior trim, flooring, furniture, tool handles, and other turned objects. Platanus occidentalis, also known as American sycamore, American planetree, western plane, occidental plane, buttonwood, and water beech, is a species of Platanus native to the eastern and central United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, extreme southern Ontario, and possibly extreme southern Quebec. The wood tends to warp in the drying process, so use dried, seasoned wood. flooring, furniture making, kitchen worktops, interior joinery and variations along those themes. Although hard, tough, and resistant to splitting, sycamore posed some difficulty in drying. If you took the lack of durability of Sycamore as it’s bottom line, that keeps in within the interior realms. With thermal modification it’s possible to change that spec to use it for cladding and exterior furniture making too. The explanation is found in the rigid texture of the bark tissue which lacks the elasticity of the bark of some other trees, so it is incapable of stretching to acco… In 1802, one growing on an island in the Ohio River measured 13' in diameter 4' above the ground. It also was the choice for countertops and chopping blocks in butcher shops because it withstands the relentless punishment of cutting edges. It … The sap offers a year-round source of hydration in warm climates. Such old, large trees were usually hollow, and thriving despite the malady. Sycamore is a very popular wood and it is a top choice for people who intend to use a wood stove in their home. Before rushing out and cutting a sycamore tree, you should take the time to learn a little more about this wood. Sycamore wood can be used to build a blazing campfire at a campground, RV park or in the back yard. While still the largest hardwood tree of American forests, yesteryear's giants have long fallen. The bark of all trees has to yield to a growing trunk by stretching, splitting, or infilling. Sycamore is a very popular wood and it is a top choice for people who intend to use a wood stove in their home. The hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and varies from piece to piece. It has low acid which means that it is a good choice under roofing because it doesn't rust nails. An American sycamore tree can often be easily distinguished from other trees by its mottled bark which flakes off in large irregular masses, leaving the surface mottled and gray, greenish-white and brown. Back when the United States was still a new nation, and its western frontier was just beyond the Allegheny Mountains, sycamore was the giant of the forest. Left standing, hollow sycamores also were handy for stabling goats, pigs, and other livestock until a shelter could be built for them. That's why it was used only on a limited basis for shipping trunks, piano and organ cases, washing machine bodies, and pails. Do you use Sycamore in your work or do you won some Sycamore furniture? ','sMinRating':'','sPageSize':'','sSortOpt':'2','sCategoryID':''. Can anyone tell us the best uses for this wood and any particulars for sawing and drying - also how hard does it become and is it stable? Sycamore has it uses. Can anyone tell us the best uses for this wood and any particulars for sawing and drying - also how hard does it become and is it stable? Sycamore wood is inexpensive and makes a good choice for disposable wood products such as boxes, crates and skids. A frontier farmer would fell the hollow sycamore, then crosscut it to appropriate lengths. If you do spy an elderly sycamore, bang on it. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Hardness ratings help you choose the right species, How To Make A Translucent Transom with Veneer, Air-drying lumber is more than a matter of time. Unless you provide an... read more. Quarter sawn it is a beutiful furniture wood. Forum Responses (Sawing and Drying Forum) From contributor A: Quartersawn it is beautiful but not always easy to get good ray fleck. Sycamore’s fibers intertwine making it an excellent wood for spoon and bowl carving. Before rushing out and cutting a sycamore tree, you should take the time to learn a little more about this wood. Live-edge slabs for: desk tops, conference tables, coffee tables, bar tops, gathering tables, dining room tables, kitchen islands, nightstands, wall art, and other fine furniture. The trunk may resonate with historic hollowness. By nailing on bottoms of tightly joined board, the industrious plowman had grain-storage containers. Although few woodworkers become acquainted with the wood of the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), that wasn't always so. It wasn't uncommon for pioneers in the Ohio River Valley to come upon huge sycamores. Sycamore wood is sometimes used inside other furniture to make drawer sides or the backs of dressers. The trees grow quickly, providing a cheap source of disposable wood and firewood. It is used for furniture in small lumber pieces as the wood is not very strong. All Rights Reserved. I am sawing some sycamore for a customer and he's wondering what to use it for. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. Contemporary uses for American sycamore include lumber and veneer, paneling, interior trim, furniture parts, slack cooperage and fuel. Sycamore wood has a wide and twisting grain structure and is commonly used to manufacture decorative goods. American Plane, American Plain, American Planetree,  American Sycamore, Buttonball Tree, Buttonwood, 'sBaseURL':'/c-363-sycamore.aspx','sEntityID':'363','entityName':'Category','extAttrs':'','maxprice':'','minprice':'','sManID':'','sSecID':'','sGenreID':'','sVectorID':'','expForm':'','searchField':'','sAva':' Use the Janka hardness rating as guide, not a definitive answer. Not rot resistant and shouldn’t be used for longterm structures exposed to the moisture. And how many wandering woodsmen might have found refuge in a hollow sycamore? ... it is small and frequent, giving a freckled or spotted appearance. For some purposes, the hollowness made the tree all the more desirable. Although few woodworkers become acquainted with the wood of the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), that wasn't always so.Back when the United States was still a new nation, and its western frontier was just beyond the Allegheny Mountains, sycamore was the giant of the forest. We’d love to see it! Sycamore Sycamore trees are one of the oldest species of trees on earth and are known for their longevity and hardiness. Carefully fitted dowels will trap both air and excess glue when inserted. The wood is … So a Janka rating is an average of numerous tests performed on all directions and numerous pieces. 1 However the wood is placed, it must allow air into the centre of the pile in order for the wood to burn.

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