Tobacco Tree #9

My passion is working with wood, and sinse coming to Arizona I've discovered some very interesting specimens.  I have collected over fifty different woods, mainly from the local desert.  A valuable resource I have used in this quest is the field guide,"Woody Plants of the Southwest" by Samuel H. Lamb.  It has descriptive text, drawings and photographs of the many plants in this area as well as range maps showing the location of concentrated growth of specific plants.  This book shows a copyright of 1989, but I found the information accurate and extremely helpful.  The one drawback is it's lack of color, but when color is necessary I refer to, "A Field Guide To The Plants Of Arizona" by Anne Orth Epple.  Beautiful colored photography is supplied by Lewis E. Epple.

I would like to focus on one particular plant in this post, the Tobacco Tree.  I had always associated tobacco with the low growing, big leaf plant grown commercially in the southern states.  In fact, my grandfather who liked to experiment, grew one or two tobacco plants of this variety on his Montana ranch when I lived there as a young boy.  The concept of a tobacco tree was completely foreign to me until I saw one in Arizona.  They are considered large weeds here and show up along roads or disturbed areas of soil.  A specimen grew to about twenty feet in height,  in an area where the septic drain field for our new home had been installed.  I cut it down and boxed the wood to cure for future use.  The larger diameter pieces have a central hole with wick like growth, that transports moisture and food to the upper reaches of the tree as it grows.  (see photo of a section of my tobacco wood below)

The tobacco tree is native to South America and was introduced in the United States but escaped cultivation.  It now can be found where the birds plant the seeds in the southern parts of California, Arizona and New Mexico in elevation below 3,000 feet.

The plant contains an alkaloid (nicotine) said to be poisonous if swallowed.  An insecticide produced by brewing the product is effective on aphids.  The plant is also being investigated for the production of bio fuel.

The Tobacco has long green leaves and the blossoms are long, tubular in shape with a yellow green color. (see photo right)                         


                                                               Wood from my Tobacco Tree is still in the box.  I have no plan as yet for a vessel that this wood might complement, but with my thinking focused on the Tobacco Tree, a design may now come to mind.  The anti-smoking concept might be a place to start.  Tobacco is a killer and I saw the death scenario play out with an office partner and  friend of mine.  I was smoking sporadically at the time and trying to get rid of a hacking cough.  When I realized what was happening I stopped and haven't smoked since.  This is another reason this Tree is significant for me.  If anyone has an idea for an artistic use of this wood I'll give you credit in literature developed about the art.  To get a flavor of the type of art I do, take a look at my book, Unique Vessels... shown on my web site; www.apatchablue.com.  Thanks.