Paulownia bed legs and the Big Eyed Elater

My landlord cut down an invasive tree on our property and I snatched up some pieces a while back.

 It took some time to ID it, but I have arrived at Paulownia, or Princess tree. It is native to China and grows at an alarming rate. I had already decided it would make great legs for my daughter's new loft bed before I learned of Paulownia's traditional uses in China and Japan. One tradition is to plant one when a daughter is born. It will mature when she does and the tree is then cut and carved into various items as wedding gifts. Most common of these is a chest or dresser.

 Paulownia sports enormous heart-shaped leaves.

 (preparing to rip it down the middle)

(mark for the outside rip)

 I discovered the heart wood is much like styrofoam. Growth rings would indicate this tree is only 3 or 4 years old - it was at least twenty feet tall and this wasn't the thickest part of the trunk.

Then I had a startling encounter:

 A very large beetle flew up onto the porch.

 It is the Big Eyed Elater, a beautiful click bug over 2 inches long!

 And back to work . . .

 I split the two halves and used a grinder to debark the quarters.

 Magic oil!

 (the oiled posts have a nice luster)

These posts will be used to elevate a donated bed. It hasn't arrived yet, but when the time comes I will use more of the same Paulownia for the ladder and railings.