I live in Central Florida and these trees are very prolific, to the point of being a nuisance. They are beautiful when they bloom once a year. They put out long seed pods that go everywhere. During the rainy summer season they can grow a foot or more per week. They sprout anywhere and everywhere. I have had some on my property as big as 30" in diameter. The wood is pretty but very unstable, not very hard or strong. I have been trying to find out the proper name for it for years.
I am not familiar with southern trees (I live in Illinois) but I would start thinking magnolia ? (you can type that in the "common name" search bar on the link) The bark and the flower look about right. I just can't see a leaf full on in the picture to tell for sure.
BroDave, I just went to your great site. Thanks. We have always called it an Orchid tree but could not find it in our searches. I love trees, but they have become a nuisance in our yard and I have been trying to discourage their growth. I am losing the battle. Maybe if I start potting them up and put them by the road people will buy them and maybe the ones left in our yard will take the hint and quit being so prolific.
Doug & Darren, Thanks for your input. I wish they were Magnolias. Good money there.
Another name of it from Dave's site is mountain ebony. Hmmm, whack into a big one and find out what the heartwood looks like. Might be a bowl-turner's paradise.
Just to clarify in case anyone thought so, that isn't my site. Just happened to be the first place listed in my search. That doesn't preclude anyone from sending me money though.
Doug, I have used some of the wood in previous projects, but it is cream colored, on the soft side, weak and not too stable. But then neither am I. I have a few chunks of it stowed away. Our next tool purchase will be a Rikon midi-lathe. I'll experiment with the wood when that comes to be. Years ago, one of these trees got to 30" diameter.
The freeze we got in 1983 killed it. I chunked some up and it did have a darker color. Maybe the immature trees are the light colored, weak wood that I described above.
When I saw the pic, the first thing that came to mind is a Magnolia. The flower sure looks like one. I have a Magnolia growing in my front yard (wedding present to my wife 18 years ago) and I can tell ya, the wood on hers is pale yellow and breaks real easily. Like everytime I hit it with the mower. Oopsie!
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