Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Family: Bignoniaceae
Common names: Catalpa, Catawba, Cigar tree, Hardy catalpa, Indian cigar tree, Northern catalpa, Western catalpa, Western catawba
Distributed in: United States (North America)
Distribution overview: The original range is uncertain, now naturalized in much of the eastern U. S. It prefers roadsides, abandoned fields, and old homesites. It's native range was small, along Miss. and Ohio River Valleys, Illinois, Indiana to Arkansas; many disjunct populations.
Common uses: Beams, Bedroom suites, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Concrete formwork, Construction, Crossties, Decks, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Fuelwood, Furniture , Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Porch columns, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Stakes, Trimming, Wainscotting
Product sources: The timber is limited in quantity since trees are seldom found in pure stands. It commands less than premium price on the market because of inconsistent supply, and can be purchased at the going price for 'random hardwoods' throughout much of North America.
Environment profile: The future survival of this species is at risk
Colors: the heart isLavender tinge , Redand the sapwoodStraw colored to grayish-white, White.The grain isStraight, the textureMedium
Natural durability: Moderately durable, Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Odor: Has an odor
Drying Defects: Collapse, Distortion
Ease of Drying: Thick Stock Requires Care
Boring: Fairly easy to very easy
Carving: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw
Gluing: Poor gluing properties
Mortising: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moulding: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Movement in Service: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Response to hand tools: Easy to Work
Routing recessing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Sanding:
A rigid, unpadded block behind the sandpaper has been recommended to prevent rippled surfaces
Turning: Good results
Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Staining:
The beautiful natural color of Catalpa yields an acceptional, light 'fruitwood' finish without staining, although some filling is required to achieve a very smooth surface
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- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
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Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
Specific Gravity |
0,34 |
0,37 |
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Density |
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kg/m3 |
Bending Strength |
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kg/cm2 |
Crushing Strength |
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kg/cm2 |
Hardness |
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kg |
Impact Strength |
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cm |
Shearing Strength |
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kg/cm2 |
Stiffness |
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1000 kg/cm2 |
Tangential Shrinkage |
5 |
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% |
Radial Shrinkage |
2 |
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% |
Weight |
608 |
432 |
kg/m3 |
Maximum Load |
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cm-kg/cm3 |
Toughness |
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cm-kg |
Static Bending |
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kg/cm2 |
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| | | | Item | Green | Dry | English | Specific Gravity | 0.34 | 0.37 | | Weight | 38 | 27 | lbs/ft3 | Radial Shrinkage | 2 | | % | Tangential Shrinkage | 5 | | % | Volumetric Shrinkage | 7 | | % | |
Weight = medium
Catalpa is decsribed as a soft, weak, and brittle and should not be used under conditions where strength or abrasive properties are critical
Arno, J. 1988. Catalpa speciosa - Northern catalpa. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 98-99.Little, E.L.1980.The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region.Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.Panshin, A. J. and C. deZeeuw.Textbook of Wood Technology.McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources.McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
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