Buddleia uses?

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

I've had to cut down a buddleia in my garden that has some six years growth.

Are there any uses of a bushcrafty nature I can put the wood to please?

Cheers,

Phil.

 

[Biddlesby]

I believe - although not practically because I have had no success so far! - it makes a great hand drill.

[edit] some expert advice!:

Buddleia - has a smaller hollow, and generally a more slender stem. I take stems 1-2 or more years old, scrape off the bark and dry it. I generally get a stick where the thicker end is 1 to 1.5cm diam and the other end 6-9mm diam. The thicker end I find ideal to drill with. With hand drilling it generally forms a fairly flat bottomed depression.

 

[Snufkin]

It's my favourite for hand drills.

 

[Buckshot]

It's my favourite for hand drills.

And mine !

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Should I be lookinf for the long straight shoots that one would use in the same way from elder?

Phil.

 

[rich59]

Should I be lookinf for the long straight shoots that one would use in the same way from elder?

Phil.

That's the ones.

Dry it too quick and it can crack lengthways. It is indeed a good hand drill, although it fails in the damper months I find more than elder.

Also young shoot's bark quite good for cordage.

According to "Plants for a future" website you can make a range of dyes from it.

I made a sight for judging range from it as it is a nice fine textured and sturdy wood for slim lengths.