Perhaps you have a bunch of redbud trees on your property, or you recently had a redbud tree damaged or felled by storm winds. Either way, you are wondering if there are any practical uses for the excess of redbud wood. Is redbud tree wood good for anything? What are some common uses for it? Read on as we answer these questions and more.
What You'll Learn Today
What Are the Properties of Redbud Wood?
Redbud wood is a hardwood typically weighing about 47 pounds per cubic foot. It is a dense, heavy wood with a straight grain that makes it visually appealing.
The wood coloration generally ranges from reddish-brown to yellowish, darkening as it ages. Red or yellow lines run through the wood along the grain, giving the wood a unique appearance.
It has a medium to fine texture and is known for being highly rot resistant. The wood generally has a pleasant aroma but is not associated with a particular distinctive odor.
Redbud wood is easy to work with, though some carvers may find it moderately challenging due to its density. It does not produce any particular allergic reactions other than those generally associated with wood dust.
Redbuds are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN, so there are no laws against cutting down these trees to use for woodworking.
Is Redbud Wood Good For Anything?
Redbud wood has a variety of potential uses among small-scale and hobby woodworkers. Due to its small size, the tree does not have much commercial potential despite the quality of the wood.
Since redbuds are typically grown as ornamental trees, they are rarely cut down for the specific purpose of using the wood. That said, trees that are damaged in a storm or cleared from a densely wooded area are often recycled for woodworking purposes.
The wood also makes a good firewood, especially when it comes from younger trees. The wood of older trees tends to become hollow, diminishing its usefulness for both firewood and craft projects.
That said, redbud wood that has not lost its quality is a useful wood that can be used for many different projects both on its own and when combined with other hardwoods. Its strong durability and rot resistance make it good for both indoor and outdoor creations.
What Are Some Common Uses for Redbud Wood?
Small-scale woodworkers and hobbyists sometimes make crafts and other small objects from redbud wood. These items may include:
- Boxes: Wooden boxes are a common object made from redbud wood. These boxes are generally small in size due to the small size and length of redbud wood pieces.
- Turned objects: Turned objects may include bowls, vases, urns, candlesticks, and anything else that is made using hand-powered or mechanical wood-turning machinery.
- Carvings: Carvings are typically produced by hand through the use of small hand tools. They may include anything from stylistic crafts to simple functional items like plates and utensils.
- Specialty items: Specialty items could be anything produced on a custom basis or any unusual item the woodworker produces in small quantities.
Redbud wood can also be used for furniture due to its quality and density; however, because of the small size of the wood pieces, it is rarely used. It may be useful for small pieces of furniture such as chairs, nightstands, and end tables.
Is Eastern Redbud a Good Tree?
Eastern redbud is one of the most common species of redbud tree available. It grows well throughout much of the eastern half of North America.
This tree is commonly chosen as an ornamental thanks to its small size and the bright, showy flowers that cluster along the branches in the spring. It has a shallow, noninvasive root system, making it a good tree to plant near roads, sidewalks, and other structures.
As noted, the wood from redbud trees is good for small crafts and woodworking projects. Its density, durability, and visual appeal make it useful for a variety of small-scale projects.
Redbuds can be vulnerable to pests and diseases and rarely live past 30 to 50 years. However, even with these drawbacks, eastern redbuds are still considered good trees for their ornamental and woodworking value.
Check out this video to learn more about the eastern redbud tree:
Conclusion
Redbud tree wood doesn’t have many commercial uses, as the trees are small and don’t produce a lot of wood. However, the trees produce a dense, visually appealing hardwood that has a variety of great uses among hobbyists and small-scale woodworkers.
