Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Nov 30, 2007 08:32pm | #1

   I'd be very careful handling these. They can cause an allergic or sensitization reaction. The tree is related to West Indian satinwood, so at least some members of the genus have commercial importance.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   KeithNewton | Dec 01, 2007 04:49am | #2

   Is this the same thing as Hercules Club? I have never worked this wood, but I have suspected that there should be a visual texture in association with the bumps in the bark, but I am not sure. It may just be a little bud-knot.

   Here in my area, I have noticed that most of these trees that I know of, are dying of something. Probably 80% of the trees that I know of have died in the last 5 years.

1. 
   kk1977 | Dec 04, 2007 08:11pm | #3

   I think they may be the same as a hercule's club.  thank's to everyone for the responses, I don't think I'm allergic to them as we used to chew on the leaves when we were kids due to the tingling effect (thinking of some of the dumb stuff kids do it's a wonder anyone lives to be an adult).  I'm thinking of slabbing one of the trees and making a rough bench for outside.  

3. 
   trialnut | Dec 05, 2007 01:14am | #4

   Local names tickle tongue, tingle tongue, toothache tree,prickly ash, hercules club and likely many others. These are in the Citrus (Rutaceae) family, Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum)is the genus and species in the US are; Hercules Club (Z. clava-herculis), Texas Hercules club (Z.hirsutum), Lime Prickly Ash (Z.fagara), Common Prickly Ash (Z. americanum), Biscayne Prickly Ash (Z. coriaceum) and Yellowheart (Z. flavum), all but the common being in the south, mostly along the coastal regions of FL and TX. West Indian Satinwood is Z. flavum. Yep, same as the Yellowheart found in extreme southern FL.

   If there is any size to it you may have some nice looking but soft wood to work with.

   Rich

   The Professional Termite