Tree guy just came to give me a quote on disposing of the tree, formerly  
known as Cottonwood.  Nope, sez he, it's a Sycamore.  Here is what  I've 
found so far:
 
Sycamore is a valuable timber tree; its wood is hard, with a twisted  and
coarse grain, but not very strong.  It is used for  furniture,
interior trim, boxes, pulpwood, and particle and fiber  board.  Carey
and Gill rated sycamore as only fair (their lowest rating)  for
fuelwood.
 
and
 
Boxes and crates, Cigar boxes, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Food  
containers, Lumber, Pallets, Paneling , Baskets, Boards, Building materials,  
Casks, Dressed boards, Figured veneer, Interior construction, Packing cases,  
Rough boards/dimension stock, Veneer, Wainscotting
 
and
 
Working Properties for: Platanus occidentalis

Blunting Effect-The wood has little blunting effect on cutters.

Cutting Resistance-The wood has little cutting resistance. Cutting  edges 
should be kept sharp to prevent torn rays.

Planing-Sycamore is reported to require some care in planing because of  
interlocked grain. (Average number of planed pieces out of one hundred 
reported  to yield perfect pieces = 22).

Turning-Turning characteristics are reported to be good, especially  when 
cutters are kept very sharp. (Percent of turned pieces expected to produce  
fair to excellent results = 85).

Moulding-The timber is reported to respond very poorly to moulding  
operations. (Average number of shaped pieces out of one hundred reported to  
produce good to excellent results = 12).

Boring-The material is reported to respond very well to boring  operations. 
(Expected number of bored pieces out of one hundred with good to  excellent 
holes = 98).

Mortising-The timber is reported to have exceptional mortising  properties. 
(Average number of mortised pieces out of one hundred reported to  yield 
fair to excellent results = 96).

Gluing-Gluing qualities are rated as satisfactory.

Nailing-Nailing and nail-holding properties are reported to be  generally 
good, but thinner stock should be pre-bored. (Average number of nailed  
pieces out of ine hundred reported to be free from complete splits = 79).

Screwing-Screwing properties are rated as good. (Percent of screwed  pieces 
reported to be free from complete splits = 74).

Sanding-Sanding qualities are reported to be very poor. (Average number  of 
sanded pieces out of one hundred reported to produce good to excellent  
surfaces = 21).

Polishing-Polishing is reported to require some care for good  results.
 
Staining-The wood has satisfactory staining qualities, and is reported to  
respond well to all types of stains.

Varnishing-Varnishing qualities are reported to be satisfactory.
 
Steam Bending-Steam bending properties are rated as rather poor. (Average  
number of pieces out of one hundred reported to steam bend without breaking 
=  29). 

Response to Hand Tools-The wood works well with hand tools, which  should 
be kept sharp for best results.
 
 
John M. Johnston
"There is a fine line between hobby and mental  illness." Dave Barry  

 
In a message dated 6/28/2012 3:35:22 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
ron.westlake@g... writes:

I have  used a lot of cottonwood. 

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