In my observations of Yucca, it has a reasonably hard shell? with a soft interior like cotton, but somewhat harder. It was used by people who made fire with the drill method by putting the drill(usually a straight stick) on the outer edge of a split piece and rotate until smoke and a coal appears. Of course, you would have a bunch of kindling like the grass, animal hair or even pine pitch to help. It was the preferred material to use where ever it grew. They call that piece a Yucca Fire Board.
As far as cutting it to make a sample, it can be cut and I think it just might stay together.
For you Mark, I'll cut a piece today just to show what it looks like after I get my hand on a piece. ............ Jerry (in Tucson)
@Mr. Peet , here is what one Yucca looks like. I don't know the type, but this piece is pretty solid. I could not leave a thumbnail imprint because of the hardness. It's almost as hard as pine. It took awhile to sand out the bandsaw marks with a 6" upright belt sander with an 80 grit belt.
If I remember correctly, Joshua Tree interior is about the same hardness as this piece. So, if you can cut it, I would say it's probably safe to do so.
Top pic is dry, and 2nd is wet.
View attachment 232088View attachment 232089................ Jerry (in Tucson)
................ Jerry (in Tucson)
