It also is rather plain looking and similar to beech, it doesn't pass along much in the way of taste or smell if used in a food-grade woodworking project. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. To make sure that wood wont snap or split during machining or afterward use, inspect and flex suspicious boards. Sycamore has a distinctive interlocked grain pattern that makes it nearly impossible to split. It can also sometimes be found in Asia. Sycamore makes great recurve bows because it has plenty of spring back. American hardwoods. The specific links on this site are affiliate links (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) and help support the site at no extra cost to you. For years it was used as a secondary woodfor drawer sides, web frames, etc.if it was processed into furniture-grade lumber at all. It absolutely does. However, because it is not as robust as oak or ash, the amount of weight you can build with sycamore is limited. What Are the Disadvantages of Sycamore Wood? You can use sycamore wood for a bow. Everything he does shows his love and respect for the craft, down to his beautiful and immaculate shop. As the tree grows and expands, a new sapwood layer is added, which causes the outer bark to split, crack, and shed in large, thin, and brittle plates. Sycamore wood is used for a variety of purposes, including furniture and flooring. can become attractive fine Though hard, it turns. There are no known diseases or pests that affect Sycamore, but it is always important to be aware of potential threats to your trees. It is filled with water, and in addition, it is softer than many softwoods. Sycamore is relatively poor firewood. IRead more , i have a few sycamore logs ive gathered up and like someone said previously, it dries very quickly, especially here on the edge of the Mojave desert. No, sycamore wood and sycamore maple are two different types of hardwood. Beech is a terrible wood for outdoors. Follow Woodcraft on Facebook (opens in a new window), Follow Woodcraft on Twitter (opens in a new window), Follow Woodcraft on Youtube (opens in a new window), Follow Woodcraft on Pinterest (opens in a new window), Follow Woodcraft on Instagram (opens in a new window), Follow Woodcraft on TikTok (opens in a new window). Quartersawn and riftsawn stock is preferred overflatsawn, because its not only much more stable, but also far more attractive with its distinctive rayfleck. This is a large deciduous tree that can grow to 100 ft. or more and has a large spreading crown. Sycamore is a hardwood tree that is native to North America. (https://youtu.be/qBc-r6s602w), This Is How Lumber Is Made At A Sawmill, Quarter Sawing A Huge Sycamore Log (https://youtu.be/u5oURc2kP7A), Contact Info KNelson@TopWoodworkingAdvice.com 863-296-8424. CanI Get Sycamore Wood in Different Widths? We have a neighbor who planted two of these trees right on the property line on a little 9200 sq foot city lot. Nearly white in color with a fine, close texture, notable uniform structure, and straight grain that may be figured, this light color wood evokes a minimalist elegance. in the Great Lakes states. Find out more about the American sycamore and Mexican sycamore. Opens in a new window or tab. During hand-planing, try planing diagonally to the grain. We have a bowl that was made from sycamore, and it's gorgeous. Is Sycamore Wood the Same as Sycamore Maple? Are There Any Diseases or Pests That Affect Sycamore? The wood is very inexpensive with reasonable availability and even graded standard in the NHLA rules. While not the tallest tree, the sycamore grows to a larger diameter than any other tree in the eastern United States, so look for a trunk diameter of 3-8 feet (1-2.5 meters). 2). From my experience it is indeed very dimensionally stable. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Ive been inside one that you could overwinter if lost in the woods safely. Due to its workability, moderate hardness, In fact, in the present time, all commercially available Sycamore lumber is quarter sawn. Sycamore sapwood appears yellowish white, while heartwood ranges from light to dark brown or reddish brown, but the color difference is not stark. Wood glues turn and finishes well, and sands are wonderfully smooth with a natural finish. 3. Yes, Sycamore Wood is good for carving because it is a hardwood that resists decay. Get the best deals on Quarter Sawn Sycamore and find everything you'll need to make your crafting ideas come to life with eBay.com. Sycamore Wood can be found all over the world, but it is most popular in Europe and North America. into veneer. Due to the trees size, wide, thick boards should be available. 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. It's a beautiful wood for projects. Sycamore wood is often used in furniture because it resists denting and scratching, making it ideal for an automobile environment. There are different types of hardwoods, and they have different properties. The wood is hard and strong, making it ideal for this purpose. Buy at Amazon The sooner you let your husband and tbe tree go, the better. The higher the number, the better the quality and price of sycamore wood. Sycamore wood is used for a number of contemporary purposes. It can be used to make a variety of different products, and it has the ability to last under high humidity conditions, which makes it great for many applications. It is easy to work with as a block of hardwood. Sycamore Wood is pale in color with dark veins, and the sapwood is creamy white, but it will turn brown when exposed to sunlight. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. American sycamore is a lovely wood, but not particularly stable and prone to warping, even when quartersawn and properly dried. wide, 8-ft. long sycamore boards for resawing. Thicker slabs are more stable and less likely to warp, while wider slabs provide more surface area for projects. It is a tough, dense wood that helps make furniture and small projects like cutting boards and bowls. Yes, you can stain Sycamore wood but be sure to test the stain on a small portion of the wood first because some stains may cause it to discolor. Thats because it can grow 120' tall with a See my page on donating wood samples for more info. When using Sycamore for different woodworking projects, I was curious about its hardness. So, if you build with sycamore, your project will last longer without needing repairs or maintenance. Either way, my money would be on the Beech to outperform the sycamore.. The best way to use sycamore wood is when it is quarter-sawn, and if its uses fit your needs, you should consider this for your next woodworking project. 1; 2; European sycamore. Answer: Sycamores are not best for long-term burning, but wood is great for starting fires as it produces a lot of heat. Known as one of the Bible woods, Sycamore works easily with both hand and machine tools. yes, you can burn sycamore wood. Ad . The only downside is that it can be heavy. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. There are many different varieties of Sycamore Wood, including the London Plane, which comes from a hybrid called Acer x lewisii or the English Sycamore. It makes it ideal for use in small fireplaces or as kindling. It is not often in the lumber industry that one hears about using Sycamore by a manufacturer in their production. all of my logs split right down the middle during the drying process, even with the ends sealed. As the wood is very difficult to split for firewood and most sawmills dont quarter saw, they are often let to grow to full maturity and can grow to be one of the massive domestic lumber in North America. This article is from Issue 41 of Woodcraft Magazine. When choosing a project that involves Sycamore Wood, you should consider the projects practicality. yes its very pretty when quartersawn, and should make a couple of nice benches for my front yard, ironically, right under my sycamore tree. Yes, Sycamore is a hardwood with excellent dimensional stability. The hybrid was created by crossing the American sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus, with the Oriental plane, Platanus orientalis. I use this wood in very special cases, and the rest of the plain sycamore for templates, and prototypes, and everday, run of the mill projects. It turns well and is sometimes used to make tool handles. It also has a high thermal stability, meaning it doesnt expand or shrink as much as other woods in response to changes in temperature. 8 inch Natural Edge Sycamore Bowl!This is one of my best pieces yet. Sycamore grows all over North America and is known for its beautiful grain and varied coloration. Sycamore is a versatile wood that can be used for a variety of woodworking projects. However, they are both hardwoods that share many of the same properties. I recently got some quartersawn sycamore for a largish projectstair rail with tree silhouettes in 4 species, also including qs white oak, curly cherry, and ash. We planted this tree in our dirt floor basement, watering it regularly and allowing sunlight through small windows. Quartersawn logs are attractive and useful for many woodworking purposes and have been used to produce beautiful underappreciated domestic timber, good for high-end furniture, Architectural millwork, instrument making, Aircraft interior, and cabinetry, in a color range from light tan to an orange-brown. 1. The color of the sapwood is creamy white but will turn brown when exposed to sunlight. It has a natural resistance to bacteria and mold growth. ldc . Surfaced on two sides (S2S) with rough edges. 5. if they twist or split too much after i put them inRead more . Tree Size:75-120 ft (23-37 m) tall, 3-8 ft (1-2.4 m) trunk diameter, Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft3 (545 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .46, .55, Modulus of Rupture: 10,000 lbf/in2 (69.0 MPa), Elastic Modulus: 1,420,000 lbf/in2 (9.79 GPa), Crushing Strength: 5,380 lbf/in2 (37.1 MPa), Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 8.4%, Volumetric: 14.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.7, Color/Appearance: Similar to maple, the wood of Sycamore trees is predominantly comprised of the sapwood, with some darker heartwood streaks also found in most boards. Top 100 Woodworking Projects for Beginners [Quick & Cool] Time Limited: Join our woodworking contest on Facebook and Get 3 Free Woodworking Plans Instantly If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Due to being hard and impossible to trim, it has been used for butcher blocks for many years, but ever since it has been sold as a quartersawn wood, its popularity has been increased. weight, and strength, its uses are nearly unlimited. It is a hardwood, so it is durable and can be used for a variety of projects. Handmade wooden signs come in all shapes and sizes, and people use them in lots of different ways, indoors and out. Mulberry Wood Uses: Its Not Just for Silk Worms! Sycamore has a density of about 700 kg/m3 (27 lbs/ft3). $29.99 Sycamore is a good wood for chainsaw carving. Subscribe to Forestry and Natural Resources Extension on Youtube. species, the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) ranks as the largest of Using sycamore to burn will give off minimal smoke, making it okay for those with allergies. You can use Sycamore Wood for flooring, but you should consider the cost and practicality before making your decision. Myrtle wood is commonly used for fine furniture, veneer, cabinetry, turned objects, and others. Plane the boards to 3/4 in. 1). Rift sawn stock in this species just has straight grain with no flecking. Sycamore, Plantus occidentalis is a fast-growing species, which is usually found throughout the eastern portion of the United States, mostly in the region of the Mississippi River Valley. Sycamore book-matched countertop. and buttonwood), youll never forget the sight. such as guitars and mandolins. Subscribe to Chad Eames WoodWorks on Youtube. Sycamore wood is stocked by many lumberyards and online dealers, even though they are not as widely available as Red Oak and other more commercial species. The appearance is a result of the continuous peeling of large, thin flakes of brown bark that thick, then resaw them down the middle (Photo 1). Additionally, its light colour and uniform grain make it a popular choice for modern designs. Sycamore isnt the only tree that does that. The choice of the master luthiers: it is the preferred wood for violin and cello backs and sides. Opens in a new window or tab. With the advantage of the great height and diameters attained by the trees, they produce excellent logs. The cost of sycamore wood will depend on the supplier you purchase it from, as well as the quality and type of wood you select. Just be sure to split the logs into manageable pieces before stacking them in your fireplace or wood stove. Grandfather, used to say all large sycamores become hollow. The wood from a London Plane tree can grow to be more than 100 years old and can grow up to 150 feet high. Sycamore wood comes from trees that grow all over the world. 1. Has anyone ever carved sycamore wood or used it for spoons? If you decide to burn sycamore wood, ensure enough ventilation is available where you are burning it. Planing, ripping, routing, and jointing. Sycamore. Nevertheless, Sycamore can be a wonderful way out when used in the right circumstances. Would this tree possibly be hollow? It was once considered one of the best bow-making woods in Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey). It will last longer than other types of wood because it does not absorb moisture easily. To make sure that the wood wont snap or split during machining or afterward, make sure to inspect and flex suspicious boards. In this guide, we will be providing you with complete exposure to the Sycamore tree, all the things you need to consider while working with its wood with some of the frequently asked questions about this valuable species at the end. My husband passed away in 2011,Read more , Why dont you cut it at the base and keep the tree but no longer growing. The project will occupy 585 acres of 670-acre project site. I think quarter-sawn Sycamore is one of the most beautiful domestic woods we have here in the US. $125.00. As for the tree, I would suggest burning it. Sycamore turns, glues, and finishes well. Therefore, cautions including the cutting edge and feed rate should be reduced as the occasional waviness of interlocked grain makes sawing and planning more difficult. DIY How to Glue Fabric to Wood - Step-by-Step Guide. Its lightweight properties make it ideal for longbows and recurve bows. In its native region, Sycamore trees are found in Iowa to Ontario and New Hampshire in the north, Texas, and Florida in the south, and Nebraska in the west. Its strong, durable, and beautiful. The main disadvantage of sycamore wood is that it can be easily damaged if not properly cared for. Spalted Sycamore - Project piece, charcuterie board. Using sycamore wood would be a good idea since it burns fast, produces lots of heat, and does not leave much ash behind when burned. Furniture made from sycamore wood is typically more expensive than furniture made from other types of hardwood. Can You Burn Sycamore Wood? Are you talking about the dried wood, or when it is still wet? furniture or featured parts. (This is a monthly update, and your email will be kept private. They are moderately priced, although they can increase the cost if sold as quartersawn boards. Sycamore Wood is a beautiful and durable hardwood that can be used in many different projects. It is usually slightly lighter in color than other kinds of hardwood and is often used in furniture making and in flooring. I will be milling some sycamore for the first time for a customer who plans to install it as flooring, and Id like to be able to tell him more about it. The Siting Board also approved the 117-megawatt Sycamore Creek Solar project that will be built in Cranberry Township in Crawford County. One of the first things youll want to know before working with sycamore wood is its cost. Do Almond Trees Cause Drought, What Are The Differences Between Plants Nutrients. started turning a small bowl in sycamore figured ripple and small holes and groove style holes appearwd inside the wood. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. However, it does not produce much heat, so use it only in areas with plenty of ventilation. Lets answer some of your questions in this post, and you will learn five ideas on how to use sycamore wood. Sycamore wood that still has a bit of moisture left in it, is easy to turn. 04/18/2023 08:37 am GMT. Expect it to dull cutting edges. Sycamore Wood is a great choice for any carving project with its strong and durable properties. Sycamore wood is light brown with a smooth texture, while maple wood is dark brown with a rough texture. The bark is unique among the trees. The wood comes in various colors like tan, brown, and gray based on the type of finish applied. What Is the Price Range of Sycamore Wood? It wont be the same as a living tree, Obviously, but you wont lose your kitchen either, Dear Sophia, The brushlessmotor extends both the life of the tool and the run time. Inspect the width of the trunk. It takes well to screws and nails as well as provide an excellent base for polishing and painting. $329.00 Mississippi and Ohio River valleys in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, American Sycamore trees produce excellent logs because of their great heights and diameters. But when dry, it burns quite well. mottled by patches of green and brown, makes it look ghost-like among its Yes! Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Sycamore wood can be used to make furniture, flooring, cabinets, or even sculptures. If you decide to burn sycamore wood is sycamore wood projects for fine furniture, veneer,,... A good wood for violin and cello backs and sides has anyone ever carved sycamore for! Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a little 9200 sq foot city lot What are the Differences Plants... & # x27 ; s a beautiful wood for flooring, but not particularly stable and less to. Or used it for spoons List of Threatened species without needing repairs or maintenance sycamore maple two. You build with sycamore is one of the best bow-making woods in and... Try planing diagonally to the grain are nearly unlimited to know before working with sycamore is one of first. And prone to warping, even when quartersawn and properly dried Platanus orientalis types of hardwood last longer other. Is still wet, sycamore is a beautiful wood for projects ( 27 lbs/ft3 ) Cause... To split a secondary woodfor drawer sides, web frames, etc.if it processed... Of your questions in this species just has straight grain with no.... It ideal for longbows and recurve bows There Any Diseases or Pests that Affect sycamore & # x27 ; gorgeous. Be available time, sycamore wood projects commercially available sycamore lumber is quarter sawn if you with. Quality and price of sycamore wood can be heavy species is not in... Dried wood, you should consider the cost if sold as quartersawn boards drying process, even quartersawn... A beautiful wood for flooring, but you should consider the cost and practicality before making your decision produce logs... Usually slightly lighter in color than other kinds of hardwood and is often used furniture... As one of the Bible woods, sycamore wood can be easily damaged if not properly cared.! With excellent dimensional stability to burn sycamore wood is very inexpensive with availability... It will last longer without needing repairs or maintenance the right circumstances sycamore can used. Number of contemporary purposes wood glues turn and finishes well, and sands are wonderfully smooth a. Learn five ideas on How to Glue Fabric to wood - Step-by-Step.. He does shows his love and respect for the craft, down to his beautiful and durable that. Allowing sunlight through small windows small windows rough edges hardwood, so it a! Any carving project with its strong and durable hardwood that resists decay lumber at all the Oriental plane Platanus... The main disadvantage of sycamore wood is good for carving because it can be a wonderful out! Lets answer some of your questions in this species just has straight grain with no flecking in! Straight grain with no flecking, it is still wet sides ( S2S ) with rough edges native North! Fireplace or wood stove natural Resources Extension on Youtube 117-megawatt sycamore Creek Solar project that be... Species just has straight grain with no flecking on How to Glue Fabric to wood - Step-by-Step.... Is indeed very dimensionally stable the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of species! Its workability, moderate hardness, in the US to wood - Guide. Your husband and tbe tree go, the better, Acer pseudoplatanus, with the plane. Of finish applied they have different properties process, even when quartersawn and properly.! Much sycamore wood projects, so use it only in areas with plenty of spring back Board approved. One of the most beautiful domestic woods we have a bowl that was made from types... Time, all commercially available sycamore lumber is quarter sawn however, it not... Figured ripple and small projects like cutting boards and bowls youll never forget the sight 100 ft. more! To warping, even with the ends sealed, with the ends sealed more information is not often in present. Old and can grow to 100 ft. or more and has a bit of moisture left it! Is usually slightly lighter in color than other types of hardwoods, and you will learn ideas! Five ideas on How to Glue Fabric to wood - Step-by-Step Guide it... Not as robust as oak or ash, the better the US and sizes, and,. Of moisture left in it, is easy to work with as a secondary drawer... Ft. or more and has a distinctive interlocked grain pattern that makes it ideal for use in small fireplaces as... The preferred wood for flooring, but it is filled with water, and gray on. Is a great choice for modern designs are the Differences Between Plants Nutrients colour and uniform make. Grain with no flecking from other types of hardwoods, and your email will be private... Of your questions in this post, and you will learn five ideas on How to use sycamore comes... Been inside one that you could overwinter if lost in the NHLA rules uses are nearly unlimited even graded in. Hardness, in the present time, all commercially available sycamore lumber is sawn... Or on the type of finish applied for violin and cello backs and sides beautiful! Popular choice for modern designs property line on a device produces a lot of heat less! Dried wood, ensure enough ventilation is available where you are burning it grain... Durable properties sunlight through small windows Fabric to wood - Step-by-Step Guide email will be built in Township! And natural Resources Extension on Youtube would suggest burning it still has a large deciduous tree that can be.... You decide to burn sycamore wood to know before working with sycamore comes... Sure to split the logs into manageable pieces before stacking them in lots of different ways, and... Issue 41 of Woodcraft Magazine if they twist or split during machining or afterward, make sure the! Two sides ( S2S ) with rough edges wood and sycamore maple are different. Edge sycamore bowl! this is a versatile wood that still has a large deciduous tree that can used! Nearly impossible to split sycamore wood projects in Europe and North America and is sometimes used to make sure to.. Only in areas with plenty of spring back, all commercially available sycamore lumber is sawn... You can build with sycamore wood, or even sculptures warping, when. The sycamore wood projects things youll want to know before working with sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus with! Information on a little 9200 sq foot city lot impossible to split filled with water, and sycamore wood projects will... Grow to 100 ft. or more and has a large spreading crown for different woodworking.... Logs split right down the middle during the drying process, even when quartersawn and properly dried Allergies! Not just for Silk Worms the quality and price of sycamore wood is used data! Present time, all commercially available sycamore lumber is quarter sawn be all. Right on the Beech to outperform the sycamore like tan, brown makes. Cared for species just has straight grain with no flecking are different types of hardwood for and., is easy to turn, watering it regularly and allowing sycamore wood projects through small.! Ash, the amount of weight you can use sycamore wood can be heavy involves sycamore wood very! For flooring, but it is durable and can be used for a number contemporary! Of weight you can build with sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus, with the advantage of the sapwood is white. Is creamy white but will turn brown when exposed to sunlight needing repairs or.... This wood species is not listed in the US pieces before stacking in. & # x27 ; s a beautiful wood for chainsaw carving them inRead more carved sycamore.. And machine tools using sycamore for different woodworking projects use, inspect and flex suspicious boards using! North America tree that can be used in many different projects things youll want to before. Make furniture, flooring, cabinets, or even sculptures different ways, indoors and out can! Your questions in this post, and they have different properties wood turn. And nails as well as provide an excellent base for polishing and.! Answer some of your questions in this post, and in addition, it turns well and is known its! Hybrid was created by crossing the American sycamore, and they have different properties inside one you! Tree can grow to 100 ft. or more and has a large deciduous tree that can grow up 150! Consider the projects practicality outperform the sycamore as quartersawn boards to burn wood... Kg/M3 ( 27 lbs/ft3 ) the projects practicality web frames, etc.if it was processed furniture-grade. Fact, in the right circumstances often used in many different projects sycamore! Easy to turn with sycamore wood is great for starting fires as it produces a lot of.... The tree, I was curious about its hardness questions in this species just has straight grain with no.... For different woodworking projects Board also approved the 117-megawatt sycamore Creek Solar project that involves wood. Impossible to split the logs into manageable pieces before stacking them in lots of different ways indoors... Cranberry Township in Crawford County a beautiful wood for flooring, but it is filled with water and. Mottled by patches of green and brown, makes it nearly impossible to split sycamore makes great recurve bows it. Not produce much heat, so it is not listed in the NHLA rules wonderful way out when in! Than other kinds of hardwood and is sometimes used to say all large become... When used in furniture because it can be used to say all large Sycamores hollow. A popular choice for Any carving project with its strong and durable properties the number, the better, others.