My wife knows a woman who needs her mimosa tree trimmed. A buddy and I are going to trim it. I should have some fresh mimosa soon.

Looks like you won't need the tall ladders!

Looks like an octopus or a nightmare to me.

That's one gnarly looking tree. It'll be interesting to see your turning blanks.

Edited November 30, 2025Nov 30 by Grandpadave52

Mimosa wood is classified as a hardwood, but its specific hardness varies depending on the source, with one source citing a Janka hardness of 1718 lbf and another listing 770 lbf. While it is a hardwood, it is often described as being comparable to pine in density and hardness and can be easier to work with because it lacks the sap of pine. If you don't have one get a moisture meter and check the % content. You want to be in the range of 8 - 12% to woodwork it. If not, you'll have to let it sit a few months under cover. 

8 hours ago, MrRick said:

While it is a hardwood, it is often described as being comparable to pine in density and hardness and can be easier to work with because it lacks the sap of pine.

When I lived in central NYS, I used a lot of basswood for trim projects.  It had these same properties, looked like clear pine and was priced similarly.  It came from a family yard and not available at big boxes.

Are you sure thats not a Medusa tree? 😁

On 11/29/2025 at 9:31 PM, MrRick said:

Mimosa wood is classified as a hardwood, but its specific hardness varies depending on the source, with one source citing a Janka hardness of 1718 lbf and another listing 770 lbf. While it is a hardwood, it is often described as being comparable to pine in density and hardness and can be easier to work with because it lacks the sap of pine. If you don't have one get a moisture meter and check the % content. You want to be in the range of 8 - 12% to woodwork it. If not, you'll have to let it sit a few months under cover. 

Thanks. I had some before and rough turned it, sealed it and put it on a shelf to dry. When I finish turned it, it turned very nice. I found you have to be careful sanding it because the lighter wood is quite a bit softer than the darker wood.

On 11/30/2025 at 6:57 AM, Bubba said:

Are you sure thats not a Medusa tree? 😁

Yes. It has the same leaves, seed pods and flowers as mimosa.

Here it is today.