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Spanish maple tree11/30/2023 ![]() Large metal mesh panels stuffed with processed Spanish moss fibers were installed on the back wall of the greenhouse. A furnace kept the greenhouse warm in the winters, but cooling the greenhouse in summer was an interesting task. In 1962, my father built a greenhouse to germinate tree and plant seeds. A story circulates that Henry Ford refused to continue using the plant for padding after several seats were found to be infested with red bugs.Īs a young boy, I was fortunate to experience the “swamp cooler” use of Spanish moss at my father’s tree nursery. Throughout history, man has found numerous uses of Spanish moss, including insulation, furniture, and padding in seat cushions during the early days of the automobile. Without roots, the plant spreads by seeds, windblown fragments, birds, and wildlife, who use Spanish moss for nesting materials. The Southern live oak and bald cypress are the dominant host trees due to their increased ability to release nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, which the plant absorbs. Even dust provides nourishment to the plant. A member of the Bryophyte or bromeliad family, the plant survives by absorbing nutrients from the air and rain. Spanish moss derives no nutrients from a host tree, being an epiphyte, or air plant. You can find Spanish moss in unique locations such as Carolina bays, marshlands, swamps, and wetlands. Ranging from Argentina to the Southern United States, Spanish moss thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. Spanish moss is predominantly found in the South Carolina Lowcountry due to the prevalence of heat and humidity in the region. We treasure the sight of Spanish moss swaying in the wind from the boughs of a Southern live oak, a marriage of two Southern cultural and visual icons, exciting our senses as we experience South Carolina’s unique beauty. ![]() It’s not native to Spain, or a moss for that matter. Examples include: aglaia, amoora, bekak, and tasua.īeing in the Meliaceae (mahogany) family, Pacific maple can be thought of as almost a cross between two more well-known Meliaceae spceies: Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata).Called it tree beard, early French settlers called it Spanish beard - reminding them of the long beards worn by Spanish conquistadors. However, Pacific maple is simply an international trade name, and it’s more commonly mixed with other Aglaia lumber species and simply called by a more generic name varying depending on the country of origin. It’s unclear how the common name came about, as the resemblance to maple isn’t apparent in either the tree or the wood. It was formerly (1998) classified as being near threatened, but was later (2008) reclassified as being data deficient due to lack of information on its habitat, distribution, and population status.Ĭommon Uses: Interior construction, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, boatbuilding, gunstocks, tool handles and other turned objects.Ĭomments: Despite its common name, Pacific maple is not related to the true maples in the Acer genus. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is reported by the IUCN as being data deficient. Expect prices to be in the mid range for a domestic hardwood. Pricing/Availability: Not commonly exported, availability is most likely limited to locally harvested trees within its natural range. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. ![]() Īllergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, wood in the Aglaia genus has been reported to cause skin and respiratory irritation. Odor: Has a pleasant, lingering odor that’s been compared to both cedar and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora). Has a tendency to warp or deform during initial drying, although dimensional stability is good once dry. ![]() Workability: Easy to work with hand and machine tools. Rot Resistance: Varies depending on particular Aglaia species and growing conditions of the tree, but is generally considered as moderately durable-though susceptible to powder post beetles. Has a fine, even texture and moderate natural luster. Grain/Texture: Grain is usually interlocked, and quartersawn surfaces can exhibit a ribbon-stripe grain pattern. Frequently color is linked to density-heavier pieces tend to be darker in color. Color/Appearance: Can range in color from a pale brown to a darker reddish brown. ![]()
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