Royal Paulownia

[Jared at Woodruff Outdoors]

Anyone every made a call, turned, or done anything with wood from a Royal Paulownia tree?  I have some trees on my property that I need to bring down, and was wondering if it was any good.  I have heard that it was made in furniture making, but that doesn't mean it would make a good call. 

[James Strickland]

I've never heard of it.  But, I looked it up on the Wood Database site and they list its Janka hardness at 300 lb/ft and call it "the other balsa wood."  As a reference, cocobolo has a Janka hardness rating of 2,960.  So, I doubt it'd be much good as a call.  But, only one way to know for sure!

[Jared at Woodruff Outdoors]

I will let you know when I try it!  might make a mighty fine timber call, haha.

[James Strickland]

I'll be waiting for some pics and a sound file!  LOL

[FDR]

Saw it into logs and sell it. It is very valuable at the sawmill. They sell it to the Japanese for carving.

[Jared at Woodruff Outdoors]

That's what I like to hear, haha.

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Don't know what it looks like, but would it be worth stabilizing?

[Jared at Woodruff Outdoors]

David, it isn't anything special as far as looks go.  It would be about as impressive as stabilized pine.  I will turn some though. Maybe it's prettier than I know. 

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Probably wouldn't be worth it then.. haha.

I bet it would make good carved decoys!

[FDR]

Saw it into logs and sell it. It is very valuable at the sawmill. They sell it to the Japanese for carving.

Here is a link to the marketing group in the USA.
http://www.paulowniatrees.org/about.htm
I understand from a call maker friend that it makes excellent Turkey box calls.

Fred