Creative Woodworks & crafts 2003-03, страница 59

WE S' WORKSHOP NEW FEATURE! TREE PROFILE: Ailanthus, ailanthus altissima, "Tree of Heaven"

Ailanthus is found from iOntario south to Florida and [■west beyond ihe Mississippi River from Iowa to Texas, ilt was introduced to this •country from the Orient in 1751 by way of England. 11 •'is one of the fastest growing trees in its range, if not the fastest. It will grow in |excess of eight feet, in a season, and some stump Ksprouts have exceeded |twclve feel. Its crown is fairly distinctive, ^somewhat resembling eatal-£pa or walnut, but more |:erect. When in leaf, it also ^resembles walnut; the bark sjand twigs are different and also has a terminal leaf, swhereas walnut does not. liThe tree is easily identified ®?.n late summer and early |aulumti by its seed clusters turning red.

The bark is a dark brownish gray with shallow grooves. The tree will grow-to 100 feet in height and two feet or more in diameter. It grows in nearly any soil or atmospheric conditions, thriving in polluted areas better than most other plants.

pest tree by competing with domestic species, much to their detriment.

Because the tree grows so quickly, there is a lot of internal stress in the wood. When it is cut down, it begins to split almost immediately, especially if cut in the spring. This tree was in our yard for over a year before we milled it. As you can see, there is little left in the lower section of the log because of the splitting. The tree resists decay, but the wood discolors easily, and will get wormy if not milled within several days of felling. This is why you probably won't find it at your local sawmill, and definitely not in your local lumber yard.

The lumber is beautiful, with a grain and color similar to white ash, and working characteristics similar to chestnut, but has a nice iridescence to it. In order to get white boards with no stain, mill the log as soon after felling as possible, then stack and sticker it immediately and be sure to cover the top to prevent precipitation from soaking through. If left in contact with the ground, it will stain and get wormy very quickly.

We have used the wood in scroll saw projects and carvings with good success. It has a tendency to burn like maple or cherry, and must be thoroughly dried to 6% moisture content, and allowed to attain equilibrium moisture content (EMC). We have found that it is better to mill the boards thickcr, because they will twist and warp while drying and the extra thickness is needed to get a flat stable board after planing.

A 12" wide, flai sawn board will have seasonal change in width of 1/4". I'he wood works well with moderate dulling of tools, and glues and finishes with all popular products. Just be sure to drill pilot holes for any fasteners you plan on using.

Statement ol* Ownership. Management, and Circulation (Required by 39 USC 3685) 1. Publication Title: Creative Woodworks & Crafts. 2. Publication Number: ! (156-6728. 3. Filing Date: October

1, 2002. Issue Frequency: ? titr.es a year. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 7.0. Annual Subscription Price: $24.87. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Kr.uv.-n Office of Publication: All American Crafts. 243 Newtntt-Sparttt Road, Newton. NJ 07860. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Otlicc of Publisher: All American Crafts. 243 Newton-Sparta Road, New lint, NJ 07860, 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher. Titiitur, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Jerry Cohen, 243 Newton-Sparta Road. Newton. NJ 072(10: Editorial Director: Robert Seeker. 243 Xcwton-Sparte Road. Newton. NJ 07860; Hditor: George Ahlers. 243 Newton-Sparta Head, Newton, MI 07860. 10. Owner: Jerry Cohen. 243 Newtun-Sparta Ruad, Newton. NJ 07860; Irving Spielberg, 243 Newton-Sparta Road, Newton, NJ 07860. ! I. Kuowrr Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Secur ity Holders Owuing or Holding 1 Percent ur Mote o: Total Amount of Konds. Mortgages, or Other Securities. None. 12. Not applicable. 13. Publication Title: Creative Woodworks & Crafts. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2002. 15. Kxtcnt and Nature u.^r Circulation. Average No. of Copies Kach Issue During Preceding 12 Months: A. Total Nu. uf Copies (Net Press Run): 146,61$: It. Paid and-'or Requested Circulation (1> Paid/Requested Oulside-Couuty Maii Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541. (Include advertiser's proof and exchange copies): 29.986; (2j Paid lr-County Subscriptions Mated on 1'onn 3541. (Include advertiser's and exohao£c copies): 0: (3) Sales Tltrough Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sater.. and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: 41/,19; (4) Other Classes Muitec Through the USPS: 1,157: C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation |Sttrn of 15B (I), (2), (3), and (4)1: 72,762: D. Free distribution by Mail (samples, complimentary, and other free); (1) Oulsidc-Ctiiinty as Stated On Form 3541: 79; (2) In-Counly as Slated on Form 3541: 0: (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 2: h. Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers and other means): 303: F. Total Free Distribution (Sutu of I5D and 1SE): 384: G. Total Distribution (Sum of I5C and I5F): 73.146: H. Copies Not Distributed: 73,472: 1. Total (Sum of 15G and H): i 46,61$; Percent Paid alid/or Requested Circulation (ISC'ISG x 100): 99.47.So. Copies of Single Issue Published nearest to Filing Date: A. Total No. of Copies (Net Press Run): 146,416; ft Paid and-'nr Requested Circulation (11 Paid/Requested Ontside-Courrly Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541. (Include advertiser's proof and exchange copies): 27,644; (2) Paid In-Counly Subscriptions Stated 011 Form 3541. (Include advertisers and exchange copies): 0; (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Norl-USPS Paid Distribution: 48,948: (4) Other Classes Mailed Through Ihe USPS: 1,049: C. Total Paid and ror Requested Circulation [Sum of 15B (1), (2), (3), and (4)1: 77.64]: D. Free distribution by Mail (samples, eonnrhmentary. aud other free'}; (1) Ontxide-Courlty as Stated On Form 3541: 72; (2) In-Counlv as Stated on Fomi 3541:0; (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 2; K Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers and other means): 509: F. Total Free Distribution (Sum uf 15D and 15E): 583; G. Total Distribution (Sum uf ]5C and 15F): 78,27.4: H. Copies Not Distributed: 68.192; 1. Total (Sum of I5C, and II): 146.416; Percent Paid aiu-tor Requested Circulation (15C-T5G x 100): 99.25. Iti. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Wit] be primed :r. the March 201)3 issue of this publication. 17. I certify that all information furnished tin this fonn is true and complete, tjcrald Cohen, President.

12 • Creative Woodworks & Crafts March 2003 Base