Creative Woodworks & crafts 2004-03, страница 47

The inner bark was used by the Native Americans and pioneers to make stimulants and bitters, to expel worms and to reduce fever.

The seed pods break apart in the winter, releasing the seeds into the air to be carried by the wind. The pods remain on the tree throughout the winter and are another field identification key.

If you are looking for boards lhat are long, wide, ^ ,

thick, clear, and a

delight to work, this iiifr'j^^mi'tfflip^^M

is the wood to get.

Tl is classified as

moderately heavy, ^^^fefaf-

moderately strong,

moderately re sis- ft. ....

(ant to shock, and prone to rot in damp locations. " The grain is normally Straight, tight Flatsawn view

and uniform in tex- ....

ture. It machines -..■■:.:..

well with hand or gjj|;

power tools, but has rf

a tendency to burn,

so be sure to use _c , . .

. , . , ,. End grain view

sharp blades or bits

and adjust your feed rale appropriately. At this time it is inexpensive, making it a good wood for students.

The only problem likely to be encountered is Ihe color of the heartwood. It can range from purple to green with many shades in between, but will darken with exposure to light. Therefore, don't be disappointed when the grass in your intar-sia project turns brown! Paint works great on Ihis wood, and it can be stained or dyed to look very much like walnut and cherry. Sap wood color ranges from white to light beige, and it also darkens a bit.

We have never experienced any glue failure or finishing problem with Ihis wood, and it holds screws and nails well, liven though end splits are not common when fastening, we always drill pilot holes for any fastener we use. A 12"-wide board will shrink between 1/4" and 3/8" from 20% to 12% moisture content, and a little under 1/4" between 6% and 12% in service.

Yellow poplar is commonly used as frame stock in furniture, interior moldings, siding, pallets, cabinets, musical instruments, crates, plywood and specialty products. Native Americans used the Irees as dugout canoes, and filled them with rocks and sunk them in shallow water to keep them from drying oul when not in use.

The leaves of this tree are very distincti vc and are not often confused with other species.

The flowers, which look like tulips, are another distinctive feature. They are beautiful and attract, bees from miles away; these bees in turn produce a honey lhat some love and others hate. Despite the numbers of bees working a tree, fertilization is quite poor, though the vast number of seeds produced by a tree make up for the difference.

14 • Creative Woodworks S. Crafts March 2004