Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article What's New  |  Site Map 

 

 
   
   
 
 


Today's
Sponsors:


Tongass Forest Enterprises

Tooling on the Web

Toolstoday.com

Touch Up Solutions LLC

Tractivity

TradeJobPlacement.com

TradeSoft

Trakware Systems Inc.

TRB Flooring Company

Tropical American Tree Farm

Tropical Hardwoods

UC Coatings Corp.

Unique Machine & Tool

University of Wisconsin

UWMO Auctions

VacDry Kilns

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.

Vacuumpods.com

Vecoplan LLC

Vector Art 3D

Vectric Ltd.

Veneer Systems Inc.

Veneer Technologies Inc.

Vintage Perkins

VortexTool Co. Inc.

VyTek

W. Moore Profiles, Ltd.

W.L. Fuller

Wadkin North America

Wagner Electronic Products

WalzCraft Industries

Webb Abrasives

WEIMA America, Inc.

Weinig Group - USA

Western Dovetail

Williams and Hussey

Wisconsin Knife Works

WMIA

WMMA

Wood and Wood Products

Wood Doctor's Rx, LLC

Wood Tech Enterprises, Inc.

Wood Technology Inc

Wood-Mizer

Wood-Ply Lumber Corp.

WoodCabinetDoors.Com

Woodcraft Supply Corp.

WoodcraftPlans.com

WoodenBoat

WoodFinder

WoodJobs.com Search Consultants

Woodland Dimension Products

WoodLINKS

Woodmaster

WoodPlanet Inc.

WOODWEB

Woodworker's Supply/woodworker.com

Woodworker's Directory

Wright Timber

SK-USA

SketchList

SlipCon USA, Inc.

SnapDragon Associates, LLC

SNX Technologies

SoCalMachinery.com

South State Machinery

South Texas Moulding

Southeast Tool, Inc.

Specialtytools.com

SprayGunWorld.com

Stairguy Stairbuilding Videos

Stefani

Steve H. Wall Lumber Co.

Stiles Machinery

Stiles Shop Solutions

Stor-N-Fold Systems

Super Source Tooling Inc.

Supergrit Abrasives

Target Coatings

Techno CNC Routers

Template Services

Teragren

The Cayce Company

The Veneer Store

Thermwood Corporation

TigerStop

TigerwoodDecking.com

TimberKing

Timesavers Inc.

TMS Machinery Sales



WOODWEB DISCLAIMS any and all RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY for the accuracy and application of the information below. Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Read More ...

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?



Cottonwood Facts       An assortment of trivia about an under-appreciated wood species. October 2, 2005

Question
I have two questions. First I am interested in the repeated occurrence of cottonwood in this forum. To my knowledge there are very few uses for cottonwood. It is hard to work or finish, dries into a pretzel, is structurally weak, has a short service life and is visually bland. That said, what am I missing? I have been fascinated by the utility of clear poplar for finish carpentry. Is it the same material? Does it hold up over time? Is it a substitute for other lumber?

Secondly, how do I tell if the blade on a bandsaw mill is dulling? Of course I want a razor sharp blade for every cut, but I want to do something besides change blades every ten minutes. Where do others draw the line?

Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor D:
I have found several markets for cottonwood. One is for pallet rack decking. Its light coloring helps with lighting. It is strong enough to hold up. The other is for horse stalls and arenas. It makes good light weight planks for loading lawn mowers. Cottonwood is pretty versatile wood. As far as blade sharpness, I listen for motor load and look for blade deflection. If you see waves in your wood you should have changed blades one cut before.



From Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor:
Probably half of the wooden caskets in this country are made from cottonwood. If you check the price of FAS cottonwood, you will see that it is fairly high and is not a trash wood at all.


From contributor G
There's an experienced saw miller in Canada, who often reads these threads. He told me something fascinating about cottonwood, which, here in Washington state, is known as garbage wood: too long to dry for fire wood, and all the other negative characteristics you mentioned. I was told that cottonwood is often used for horse and cow stall floors because the wood is more tolerant of urine than other species. I don't know if that's true, but this person has never led me wrong.


From Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor:
Indeed, the odor of urine is well controlled by poplar species, so I suspect that would include the Western cottonwood as well as Eastern and also aspen.


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Lumber and Plywood

  • KnowledgeBase: Lumber & Plywood: Wood Identification




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    RR4 Box 265A
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB