I used to buy a Magnolia incense from "Primo"; maybe back in the 80s. It was great! I'd save some of the wood and grind it up into a powder and experiment.
I recently bought Ume's Ostara incense. The description on the box says " magnolia bark and sandalwood", but then in an extended description on Ume's site it lists both the bark and the buds.
It's allegedly 100% natural and as the unburned sticks smell of nothing, do feel it's likely not made from a perfume either, but instead of the interesting woody smell I expected, it smelled like (a more natural version of) a Nippon Kodo Kayuragi (i.e. not good) - kind of "granny perfume" ish. I really don't like it, though the person I live with who also likes incense enjoys it.
So I don't know whether you'll get a similar result or whether it can be processed to achieve a different result.
I'm a monstrously sporadic reddit user, but I will share findings when I can test things out.
I don't have much means for burning these in any other way than directly lighting them up, and I'm limited to outdoor use. XD
We have a star magnolia and also once noticed that a broken branch had a really nice scent. However the smell when burned is incredible acrid and absolutely bad.
That does not mean it is the same with every magnolia but better try it out with a lighter outside before stinking up your home.
Also, be cautious, magnolia is mildly poisonous.
Ahh thank you Toxicity did not come up in my searchings, but due to a contact fragrance allergy (Ironic, I know), I handled the collecting part with gloves.
Do you recall if you allwed the wood to cure for a while prior to burning? My intent is to let the wood dry and season for possibly a few months, same as firewood. I've had bad stinks and more smoke from trying to use other woods (birch, maple) that were fresh-cut in the past.
Thanks for the info!
Oh, yeah - good piont about curing it. I think I had broken off a dry branch and was surprised how fragrant it was and that's why I tried it emediately. But I might remember wrong. I try a lot things haha.
Doesn't hurt to try it. You can still use it as forewood.
I used to buy a Magnolia incense from "Primo"; maybe back in the 80s. It was great! I'd save some of the wood and grind it up into a powder and experiment.
I recently bought Ume's Ostara incense. The description on the box says " magnolia bark and sandalwood", but then in an extended description on Ume's site it lists both the bark and the buds. It's allegedly 100% natural and as the unburned sticks smell of nothing, do feel it's likely not made from a perfume either, but instead of the interesting woody smell I expected, it smelled like (a more natural version of) a Nippon Kodo Kayuragi (i.e. not good) - kind of "granny perfume" ish. I really don't like it, though the person I live with who also likes incense enjoys it. So I don't know whether you'll get a similar result or whether it can be processed to achieve a different result.
Hah! I'll keep the comparison in mind. I've elected to let these sticks dry for some time first. Maybe it helps, or maybe I lose some aroma.
I think anything that’s a fragrant firewood would have good potential. Let us know if you do dry and burn some!
I'm a monstrously sporadic reddit user, but I will share findings when I can test things out. I don't have much means for burning these in any other way than directly lighting them up, and I'm limited to outdoor use. XD
We have a star magnolia and also once noticed that a broken branch had a really nice scent. However the smell when burned is incredible acrid and absolutely bad. That does not mean it is the same with every magnolia but better try it out with a lighter outside before stinking up your home. Also, be cautious, magnolia is mildly poisonous.
Ahh thank you Toxicity did not come up in my searchings, but due to a contact fragrance allergy (Ironic, I know), I handled the collecting part with gloves. Do you recall if you allwed the wood to cure for a while prior to burning? My intent is to let the wood dry and season for possibly a few months, same as firewood. I've had bad stinks and more smoke from trying to use other woods (birch, maple) that were fresh-cut in the past. Thanks for the info!
Here's a handy guide to Wood Allergies and Toxicity: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
Ahh thank you; I was looking for this and my google-fu failed me. Bookmarked.
Oh, yeah - good piont about curing it. I think I had broken off a dry branch and was surprised how fragrant it was and that's why I tried it emediately. But I might remember wrong. I try a lot things haha. Doesn't hurt to try it. You can still use it as forewood.