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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: jrokusek on May 02, 2007, 12:48:30 AM

Title: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: jrokusek on May 02, 2007, 12:48:30 AM
So I cut some cottonwood while I was testing and tuning my bandmill.  Man - it's some DanG nice stuff!  Looks like it could pass for maple to the untrained eye.  I'm going to throw some stain on the boards and see what happens.  Might make nice furniture.  There's actually a little bit of figure in the middle picture - top board.  How about framing lumber - anyone use cottonwood lumber for framing lumber?

Jim

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12258/cottonwood%20xat.jpg)


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12258/cottonwood%20with%20little%20figure%20xat.jpg)


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12258/2%20cottonwood%20boards%20xat.jpg)
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: mur on May 02, 2007, 01:26:23 AM
Hello jrokusek:

Even worse than aspen, cottonwood gets no respect.  Properly cut, dried and finished - it's a show-stopper.  I haven't finished any for a few years - but the last I ran - clear 1x6 T&G V-joint - came out gorgeous.  People dropping by the shop when I was preparing it couldn't believe that it was cottonwood. 
I did see one barn cut from cottonwood.  The wood rots easily so keep it very dry - and I would definitely check its load bearing capabilities.  Knots are quite often large and rotten.  I only saw the good stuff.  And some of the reaction wood is impossible to finish.  It can be a bit of a challenge - but when it works and you get it right, it's beautiful.
And I did run into a fellow from Vancouver Island, BC. who knew of a family there using cottonwood to run their furniture shop.  The wood can be stained to look like cherry and walnut apparently - but that's hearsay.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Larry on May 02, 2007, 04:25:54 AM
I don't ignore cottonwood...never have found a wood yet that couldn't be used.  An old thread with a pic of where I used cottonwood in kitchen cabinets.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=7990.0

I have some cottonwood stashed away that has some of the prettiest and tightest curl ya ever saw.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Ron Wenrich on May 02, 2007, 05:55:14 AM
We don't have cottonwood or aspen in my area.  But, the reason different woods get no respect is probably twofold.  One is that cottonwood is awful soft.  For a furniture or flooring wood, the general public needs/wants something that will hold up pretty well.  So, the softer woods get to be used as interior furniture parts, as long as they are stable.

The other factor is that there needs to be a relatively good supply to create a demand.  We had a chance to develop a wormy oak when the gypsy moth went through our area.  But, there was no guarantee of supply to meet any future demand.  Cottonwood may be in the same boat.

But, you can create your own niche market for cottonwood.  Niche markets are the things that can make or break a small wood operation.  Just brush up on your marketing skills. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Larry on May 02, 2007, 07:08:45 AM
I guess Batesville Casket is one of the larger users of cottonwood for caskets.  An inspector working for Batesville told me they are quite picky about getting high grade cottonwood.

There is also an export market...but I don't know who is the end buyer.  I sawed to comsel and prime grades while back but the money wasn't good nuff, so I quit.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: olyman on May 02, 2007, 08:23:35 AM
cootonwood is rodney dangerfield of wood------you can build any building out of it---its at least the same density as soft pine--and what is the structural lumber you buy made of---but as mur said--it cant be on the ground----rots quick----
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: beenthere on May 02, 2007, 09:36:19 AM
Quote from: olyman on May 02, 2007, 08:23:35 AM
cootonwood is rodney dangerfield of wood------

Great analogy der..... ;D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Steve on May 02, 2007, 10:12:59 AM
I am so thankful that Cottonwood is not a commercially valuable wood. The river bottoms and creek sides of the West would be bare if it were.

Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: urbanlumberinc on May 02, 2007, 10:26:42 AM
I think the reason cottonwood, and other viable timber species are ignored is probably due to ignorance.  Just about anyone who knows anything about wood will have something to say about cottonwood, but ask them if they've ever used any.  It's amazing how many people hold a negative opinion about something that they know little or nothing about.  I've been cutting up a whole lotta cottonwood lately for fence pickets (gonna stain em heavily), and have found some really neat curl in some of it.  I'll be the only guy in town with a curly cottonwood fence 8)
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: jrokusek on May 02, 2007, 03:15:13 PM
Most of it is burned around here - not for firewood - because most people consider it junk wood.  Not me.  I'm going to start playing with it for various things.   Last night I stained one of the boards before I went to bed.  I bought it into work today to show it to a guy who works for me....don't think he's going to let me have the board back!  Somehow I have a feeling he may wind up with some cottonwood baseboard & trim in his basement remodel.  He said it looks like Aspen, Poplar or Maple when finished.  I just think it's some nice looking stuff and can't wait to get more of the logs.  I need to do some research and see how much strength it may have for framing .  I have this small garage project in mind.....
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Larry on May 02, 2007, 05:20:33 PM
I have the construction strength properties for cottonwood, but there packed somewhere in a box when I moved.  Think??? that Don P gave them to me so ya might try an IM to him if he doesn't respond to this thread.

Two counties in north Missouri raise tobacco and barn cure it.  The barns built to cure tobacco are monsters...some maybe 40' tall.  Almost all were built from cottonwood.  Keep the roof rain tight and they would last a 100 years.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: beenthere on May 02, 2007, 07:51:29 PM
jrokusek
There are some pubs on cottonwood strength around, and here is one that might give you some info.

Iowa hardwoods - including cottonwood (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM329.pdf)
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: TexasTimbers on June 04, 2007, 03:42:47 PM
I found this thread via our search function. I was trying to find out if Cottonwood would make a good interior siding choice. My wife asked for something very light in color if not dowsnright white. I think my question is answered. It sounds like it should make very nice interior T&G finishing.
I didn't find anything on drying it though. A little further digging should find what I need toknow but in the meantime if anyone has dried any I'm all ears. I would like to go right into the kiln with it if it is feasable.
I may cut one down today. My dad told me that when he was a kid Cottonwood was no secret at all. He said for me to just start noticing how many barns are made of it and still standing. He too emphasized that as long as you keep it dry it's as good a framing lumber as you can cut. He titled his head a little when I asked if it would make good interior finish and then said "Well I can't see why it wouldn't."
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Larry on June 04, 2007, 05:17:35 PM
Cottonwood in north Missouri is not nearly as white as say basswood.  More of a creamy white.  Easy to dry...just keep it on the fast side to prevent stain.  Boards should be sawn with a 180 degree rotation to keep the grain balanced.  You will still loose some boards to twist.

Some cottonwood has a tendency towards being fuzzy when processed.  A Shelix planer head helps to control it a lot.  Sanding also can bring out the fuzzies.  Black cottonwood has fewer problems than yellow cottonwood (think this is local name).  Texas cottonwood may react entirely different from what I'm used to seeing.

I've seen it used as interior paneling and thought it quite attractive.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Ianab on June 04, 2007, 05:59:07 PM
QuoteHe titled his head a little when I asked if it would make good interior finish and then said "Well I can't see why it wouldn't."

My thoughts exactly.
Before I cut a whole roomfull I would get a couple of sample boards and see how they process and finish. But T&G wall panelling isn't really a demanding application, if you can get the boards up and they look OK then the jobs done.  :)

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: TexasTimbers on June 04, 2007, 06:06:19 PM
We just had a small but wicked cell move through and nixed the felling. These two trees are right down my street about a mile and a half. One is a female and snowed all its cotton last week and the lady finally told the husband to get rid of those DanGed cottonwoods. One is a male. So we are only talking two modest size trees. But probably enough to do the guest room and two of the kids'  bedrooms with a little left over.

I do have a spiral cutterhead on my planer so I shoud be allright using it. I'm not gonna sand it. Gona run it through the planer then the T & G and throw it up there. Like Ian says "then the jobs's done" Cheers. ;D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: tsodak on June 04, 2007, 07:45:11 PM
I am a complete rookie at this, but I have been cutting cottonwood and stockpiling it to build my barn out of. I have cut a couple four or five big boys from up here, and I have been really impressed. Not a lot of movement so far, although I am just getting it started drying. I am cutting significantly oversized so I can resaw if needed, and anything that moves can always go into the fencing board or just naile up as sheathing.

Cut a 24 which is as big as I can handle into 4 8x8,s 12 feet long  last night along with assorted slabs.  Them babies will make you grunt when you move them. The stuff I cut a couple of weeks ago looks really good under my hand power planer,  I will see if I can get some pics yet tonight.

Tom
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Squirrell_Boy on June 04, 2007, 11:38:19 PM
Cottonwood grows huge and straight around here. Definately has no decay resistance and i wouldn't cut any with lean or twist as it is well known to be prone to drying issues with this. I have a friend who is an incredible sawmiller and woodworker and as picky about what logs he cuts as anyone i've ever met and he likes it. I imagine some large trees would produce a large amount of clear wood.

I have seen some beautiful furniture made from it. Out west in Utah and surrounding states the pioneers made this primitive, but well joined furniture from it and often painted it. They would cut it thick 1.5 to 2 inches thick and join the carcass with large dovetails. These pieces are highly desired and some people are now reproducing them. I imagine they would be fairly light weight. I always appreciate that when i move furniture.

It may shrink and swell more with changes in humidity. I'm not sure. Just use quatersawn in drawer or other areas where this is an issue.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: SwampDonkey on June 05, 2007, 05:52:39 AM
Mur's cottonwood out there in BC is black cottonwood, almost identical to our balsam poplar (balm-of-gilead). You guys are talking about eastern cottonwood. There is some huge black cottonwood near Terrace along the Skeena R. shoreline and islands. I wouldn't use balsam poplar because it's so wet and dotey in the heart. Those straight tall stems look nice while on the stump though, and I love the smell after a rain.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: jrokusek on June 05, 2007, 12:34:00 PM
It's nice to see this thread brought back!  It appears we have eastern cottonwood here in South Dakota.  http://www.northern.edu/natsource/TREESA1/Easter1.htm   Can't wait to get the sawmill running and cut some for woodworking.  I think I might make a bookcase from it.  At least it won't be so heavy that I won't want to move it!

Jim
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: fuzzybear on June 06, 2007, 10:01:28 AM
Up here in the north we call cottonwood "the widow maker".  When you are dropping these trees they may seem very sound and then the last 20' will snap off before your finished with the back cut.  This is usually when the trees are over 12" at the but. They rot so very easy. 
We usually just push them over with a cat and use it for firewood.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: tsodak on June 06, 2007, 11:09:11 AM
It is intersting to here the talk about the tops of trees falling off during felling. Here on the plains the trees are exposed to so much wind standing all alone getting beaten upon that the ride to the ground during felling is prbably the softest force they have been exposed to in years.

It is a dangerous activity, I agree. I have the scars to prove it. But i would have no qualms about our prairie trees when I walk up to one. More likely lightning will stirke...

Tom
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: SwampDonkey on June 06, 2007, 02:04:11 PM
I wouldn't want to be working under old growth aspen with those wide spreading laterals above the rest of the tree canopy. When they start to tip, and one of them half rotten limbs snag a neighboring tree, you want to be out of there. From discussions on the forum there are a few neighbors to our south that have run into the same situation. Not to be taken lightly.  ;)

There are some pictures in the "So how big you want'm" thread. A lot of those big upward swept branches in those photos have since fallen to the ground in the last couple years.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: TexasTimbers on June 06, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
Quote from: fuzzybear on June 06, 2007, 10:01:28 AM
Up here in the north we call cottonwood "the widow maker". When you are dropping these trees they may seem very sound and then the last 20' will snap off before your finished with the back cut. This is usually when the trees are over 12" at the but. They rot so very easy.
We usually just push them over with a cat and use it for firewood.

Thanks for posting this. I am always looking up most of the time I cut anyway but still this is a good information, especially if Cottonwood has a tendency to fall apart like that more than other species. Since I last posted this I have been given another very large one in the same city I cut the coons out of that rotten pecan. Haven
't been to look at it yet. Hope it ain't got no critters in it we're full up here. ::)
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: jrokusek on June 06, 2007, 03:16:56 PM
Quote from: tsodak on June 06, 2007, 11:09:11 AM
It is intersting to here the talk about the tops of trees falling off during felling. Here on the plains the trees are exposed to so much wind standing all alone getting beaten upon that the ride to the ground during felling is prbably the softest force they have been exposed to in years.

It is a dangerous activity, I agree. I have the scars to prove it. But i would have no qualms about our prairie trees when I walk up to one. More likely lightning will stirke...
Tom

Hey - I finally found someone local!  Well, kind of anyway. At least we're in the same state. 


Quote from: SwampDonkey on June 06, 2007, 02:04:11 PM
........... one of them half rotten limbs snag a neighboring tree, you want to be out of there...............

You mean you got more than one tree growing in the same place?!?   :D   At least it's easy to drop a tree around here since many of them won't hit anything no matter which way they fall.   ;)

Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: TexasTimbers on June 06, 2007, 03:22:27 PM
Hey we got two South Dakotans! I heard there is actually a couple of trees there somewhere. A tree for each of ya! ;D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Don P on June 06, 2007, 08:11:07 PM
Depends on where kevjay, I've worked in a million acre woods there  ;D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: jrokusek on June 06, 2007, 10:13:40 PM
Guess that explains where all the trees went!   :D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: LeeB on June 07, 2007, 04:01:03 PM
Is two trees considered a "woods" :D :D
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Walnut Beast on April 15, 2021, 10:50:41 PM
Quote from: Larry on May 02, 2007, 04:25:54 AM
I don't ignore cottonwood...never have found a wood yet that couldn't be used.  An old thread with a pic of where I used cottonwood in kitchen cabinets.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=7990.0

I have some cottonwood stashed away that has some of the prettiest and tightest curl ya ever saw.
Are you still doing stuff with cottonwood Larry
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Larry on April 15, 2021, 10:55:54 PM
I haven't sawn any cottonwood in a very long time.  It was common at my location in north Missouri but since moving to northwest Arkansas I never see it for some reason.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Walnut Beast on April 15, 2021, 11:04:18 PM
Those cabinets were fantastic Larry. I took a friend a burger earlier this evening where he took a whole tree line of some massive cottonwood trees out with the dozer. Nice and straight but massive. Might have to get some 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: handhewn on April 16, 2021, 11:32:41 AM
I mostly to cut cottonwood for trailer beds as this wood tends to hold together even when cracks develop. You don't loose chunks flying off the bed into the roadway.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: alan gage on April 16, 2021, 11:42:30 AM
I've been happy with straight cottonwood logs with centered piths. Less happy with logs with sweep or off center pith. I use it mainly has 2x lumber since we don't have softwoods to speak of. I've heard that it doesn't hold nails as good as commercial framing lumber and after using it would agree with that. Doesn't take as much effort to withdraw a nail, which is nice when you nail something in the wrong place.

It's hard to find logs. Plenty of it around here but many of them are either gigantic, leaners, or both. Plenty of nice straight ones that would make good lumber too but no one is cutting them down as they usually grow where people don't want to build. That's about the only reason trees get cut down here.

Sure does saw easy.

Alan
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: doc henderson on April 16, 2021, 12:03:37 PM
I have removed 9 from my 3 acre yard.  they only live about 100 years, and then you have to worry about falling limbs.  we get a few storms here as you may have heard.  if a limb falls across a drive way, it is not a 5 minute job to clear.  i make pallets with mine.  but the wood is pretty, like elm.  it is under appreciated as it is not commercially available.  I have read it is used for coffin making.  light weight, and easily stained with aniline water based dye.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: doc henderson on April 16, 2021, 12:07:19 PM
I cut some for a trailer bed, and a piece left over is still outside on a stack of lumber 6 years later.  does not rot from just moisture, but will if in contact with soil.  I have some flitches to make some benches with.  I will add pics to this thread then.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: moodnacreek on April 17, 2021, 07:40:56 AM
It is not ignored if that's what you can get. When I started out that and buttonball was all we had so the barn and sawmill shed got built with those woods.  The fact is in most areas there is plenty of better wood to saw and the conifers don't attract the ppb like those white hardwood do.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: farmfromkansas on April 18, 2021, 02:16:49 PM
I had 2 big cottonwood fall across a pond dam.  They cut off my access across there.  We get these big wind storms that knock trees down, especially cottonwood, and will turn a hedge tree off to the side, even if it still hangs onto the ground.  Well these cottonwoods have been down for several years and I still don't have all of it cut up, been using it for firewood.  The wood is still solid if it does not touch the ground.  I cut and split a bunch, still a pile there, got so wet i could not back up there, cause water was standing in the spillway. Seems like we either have floods or drought in Kansas. More wind forecast for tomorrow.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Lyndaker on April 18, 2021, 02:24:10 PM
I recently cleared a bunch of Balsam Poplar (cottonwood) for a new garden. Much of it looked good but when I started milling it, almost all of it had checks in it from winter and wind. Here in Northwestern Ontario, -40 is common. Apparently the trees crack internally in the extreme cold which made mine worthless for lumber. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on April 19, 2021, 08:08:26 AM
This cottonwood is hard to ignore!

Near Firestone rubber plant between Monrovia and Buchanan, Liberia.

Place is called "Cottonwood"!!!


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21495/Cottonwood.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1618834055)
 


Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: D6c on April 19, 2021, 09:41:58 AM
Not sure what variety we have in iowa but it's pretty white or a little yellowish.  I sawed some into 2x4's and stack dried it.  About 1/4 of it was useable because it twisted/crooked so bad.  
I did quarter saw one log and cut it for decking on a pallet rack.... worked great for that.
Mostly the cottonwood here gets used for pallet lumber.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: justallan1 on April 19, 2021, 02:27:44 PM
The last ranch that I worked for hired a guy to saw bunches of cottonwood corral planks 2x8x16 and they were horrible!
If you used them green on 8' oc posts they would sag to the point that you thought they were still growing. If you used them dry they were so hard you had to predrill holes or it would split.
Just my opinion, but being that the cottonwood in Montana doesn't have pitch, is why it snaps and breaks so easily where you attach it to your posts. It just doesn't have any give to it.
The stuff up here is real fast growing with wide growth rings. It has a huge base, then the first limbs are low and big enough that you can't saw a board longer than that distance.
Again, just my opinion....
I'd bet if you had two guys running the same saws, equipment and mills and put one logging and milling pine and the other logging and milling cottonwood, the guy doing the pine would run circles around the other with production. Cottonwood has such a huge amount of waste for what you'd get out of it.
Hopefully it's better in other areas.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: moodnacreek on April 19, 2021, 05:44:19 PM
Quote from: justallan1 on April 19, 2021, 02:27:44 PM
The last ranch that I worked for hired a guy to saw bunches of cottonwood corral planks 2x8x16 and they were horrible!
If you used them green on 8' oc posts they would sag to the point that you thought they were still growing. If you used them dry they were so hard you had to predrill holes or it would split.
Just my opinion, but being that the cottonwood in Montana doesn't have pitch, is why it snaps and breaks so easily where you attach it to your posts. It just doesn't have any give to it.
The stuff up here is real fast growing with wide growth rings. It has a huge base, then the first limbs are low and big enough that you can't saw a board longer than that distance.
Again, just my opinion....
I'd bet if you had two guys running the same saws, equipment and mills and put one logging and milling pine and the other logging and milling cottonwood, the guy doing the pine would run circles around the other with production. Cottonwood has such a huge amount of waste for what you'd get out of it.
Hopefully it's better in other areas.
Montana is different from the east. It's not likely those boards would dry enough to be hard here but they will still split on the ends. It is a poor wood for sure. Some places specify it for pallets and boxes as it does not stain their product.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: alan gage on April 19, 2021, 05:51:36 PM
I've heard other people say it's hard to nail as well but I've never had a problem hand nailing it air dried down to 12%. I bend over a lot more nails in good yellow pine.

Alan
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: doc henderson on April 19, 2021, 05:58:19 PM
for my pallets I use glue and pneumatic staples.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: LongLogSmith on April 19, 2021, 06:44:18 PM
At least here in my area of Western Montana, Cottonwood is legendary for trailer decking, barn flooring etc. Absorbent enough to soak up oil, tough enough to support that backhoe, tractor, loader. I see a lot of farm trailers with 3" cottonwood decking. Bolts though, so everything is predrilled.

Most of the chainsaw carvers I've known here like it too; they soak in antifreeze for a good while. Supposedly helps with checking on the porch in winter.

Mostly structural uses here in my experience; now you've got me curious to mill some myself. There's  plenty of it...
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Walnut Beast on April 19, 2021, 08:18:45 PM
Quote from: LongLogSmith on April 19, 2021, 06:44:18 PM
At least here in my area of Western Montana, Cottonwood is legendary for trailer decking, barn flooring etc. Absorbent enough to soak up oil, tough enough to support that backhoe, tractor, loader. I see a lot of farm trailers with 3" cottonwood decking. Bolts though, so everything is predrilled.

Most of the chainsaw carvers I've known here like it too; they soak in antifreeze for a good while. Supposedly helps with checking on the porch in winter.

Mostly structural uses here in my experience; now you've got me curious to mill some myself. There's  plenty of it...
That's what my friend has on his Trail King detachable neck lowboy that hauls the dozer and excavator 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: moodnacreek on April 19, 2021, 09:00:32 PM
They say you can use it for frictions on the old sawmill feeds.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: farmfromkansas on April 21, 2021, 09:19:18 AM
I picked up some of the firewood that was piled a year and a half ago, for the cold nights we are having, and the stuff was still sound.  Thought cottonwood was supposed to rot easily.  Must be if it gets dried before going on the ground has resistance to rot? Some pieces I picked up were right on the dirt.  Think I will cut some to put on my flatbed trailer, the treated isn't doing so well.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Lyndaker on June 26, 2021, 07:31:51 PM
I cut some on our land last winter and saved it as practise wood for my new mill. I'm in Northwestern Ontario and its called balsam poplar here. Almost all of it has cracks in the heart from the cold winter temps. I believe what happens is in our -40 winter temps it cracks as it moves in the wind. I also cut black ash years ago and it had the same issue. Unless it is a very big tree it makes the lumber worthless. A few of the smaller trees were ok but all the bigger ones were cracked. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: farmfromkansas on June 26, 2021, 08:24:10 PM
There are some cottonwood buildings here in my neighborhood that are well over 100 years old.  A big old barn a few miles south they say is all cottonwood, except for sill plates they say are walnut.  Asked a member of the family when they moved here, he said 1860's, so could be 150 years old.  Most of the barns were the first building built, as they were necessary for stock and feed.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: alan gage on June 27, 2021, 10:36:26 AM
I'm building a 10x12 cabin with 6' covered deck on my land right now, mostly from cottonwood. It's been air dried and I've had no trouble hand nailing it. It does cut noticeably harder with a circular saw than typical framing lumber.

All the boards were sawn extra wide and went back on the sawmill before use to straighten both edges. I'm very happy to have it with the prices of lumber right now. Really no other softwood options around here for framing lumber.

Try to find straight logs with centered piths. I've found these stay pretty straight when sawing and drying. The stressed trees growing on the edges provided a lot of unusable lumber.

Alan
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: WDH on June 27, 2021, 11:01:31 AM
Balsam poplar and cottonwood are in the same genus but are totally different species. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: barbender on June 27, 2021, 11:45:39 AM
I was going to say that Danny, but I decided to let it go😊 I've seen patches of balsam poplar (it is known as balm of Gilead, balmy and bam locally) that looked like perfect 16-20" sawtimber. No one saws it, but the form sure was nice. It loaded on a truck fast😊 That all went to Sappi for paper at the time. That is the market locally, paper and OSB. I'm told in some areas the buds are harvested for use in perfumes.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Nikolaysi on June 27, 2021, 11:59:43 AM
There are many species of trees that are under appreciated in certain regions for whatever historical reasons. Take Eastern larch for example, also goes by tamarack and a few other names. It has better rot resistance than cedar and about as good as pressure treated, minus the poisonous chemicals and tougher. The piles that the city of Venice was built on a thousand years ago or so are still standing today partially submerged in water. A perfect building material for decks and other outdoor projects, it is highly prized in Europe, but nobody wants to hear about it here. Go figure. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: barbender on June 27, 2021, 01:15:14 PM
I have never seen tamarack perform better than cedar or pressure treated in ground contact situations. If it is buried, as in corduroy roads, it lasts near forever. I'm sure the piles under Venice are a similar situation. But uses like posts, where you have oxygen, moisture, and the proper temperature at ground level, it fails fairly quickly. 
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: doc henderson on June 27, 2021, 01:31:11 PM
we have taken 9 out of our yard.  I have about 8 to mill from others, and the largest log is over 4 feet in diameter.  this is the ac unit behind my shop.  was running longer than usual, so this is what I found from this summer alone.  


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/51041/67C3B467-8F25-4E03-918A-DD648E20CC51.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1624814667)
 

this is why people do not like the tree.  from a plane you will see all the streams and rivers lined with these trees.  the cotton messes with ac and pools.  they grow fast so light weight, only live about a hundred years, and if a wind storm breaks off a branch, it may be 100 feet long, and 3 feet at the base in diameter.  might scratch you car, or smash the roof of your house.  I use it to make pallets.  the wood is actually pretty.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: alan gage on June 27, 2021, 01:51:39 PM
One of my favorite times of year is when the cottonwoods go to seed and it looks like snowfall on those beautiful blue sky June days. It's one of my favorite trees. Love listening to the leaves rustle in the lightest of breezes.

I transplanted half a dozen saplings this spring that were growing where they shouldn't be. If I live and they live I should get to see some decent sized trees by the time I go.

There are some giants around town that dwarf the houses they grow up around. Large circumference and very tall. Sure wouldn't want one to fall on my house or have to pay to have it taken down but I like looking at them. I'll be long gone by the time mine get to that stage.

Alan
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: Walnut Beast on November 25, 2022, 04:01:20 AM
So named for its cotton-like strands that accompany the tree's seeds in the spring. Eastern Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas and Nebraska, (https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/state-trees-of-the-united-states/) and is sometimes called the pioneer of the prairie; pioneers on the Oregon Trail would look for such trees, as their shade and firewood was a welcome respite, and their presence usually meant that water was nearby.
Title: Re: Why is cottonwood ignored?
Post by: SwampDonkey on November 25, 2022, 05:28:20 AM
Even black cottonwood is not the same species as 'cottonwood' in this thread. Black cottonwood isn't all that different from balsam poplar (balm-of-gilead), only it grows a lot bigger. On the Skeena or Fraser river in BC they are huge along the river. The largest native poplar, up to 165 ft tall and 12 feet in diameter.