Materials

The Olive Wood Tree is a subtropical, broad-leaved, evergreen tree which has edible fruit. The tree ranges from 10-25 feet or more and has numerous branches. In October, the trees are pruned and the wood is sold to craftsmen.

Many of these trees are over 300 years old and some have been growing since the time of Christ. You may estimate the age of a particular piece by examining its grain. Older trees have a dark grain while younger trees exhibit a lighter grain color.

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No trees were damaged or destroyed during the process of harvesting this Olive Wood.

Podocarpus wood is known for its fine grain, light color, and smooth texture, making it an excellent choice for furniture and cabinetry. It is both durable and resistant to wear, which adds to its appeal for crafting high-quality items. The wood is also relatively easy to work with, allowing for detailed carvings and finishes. Additionally, podocarpus wood has a subtle, pleasant aroma, enhancing the overall experience of using it in various woodworking projects.

Monkey pod wood, also known as acacia or rain tree, is celebrated for its unique, swirling grain patterns and rich golden-brown color, which deepen with age. This hardwood is not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally durable, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Its resistance to moisture and pests enhances its longevity, allowing for beautiful pieces that withstand the elements. Additionally, monkey pod wood is often sustainably sourced, appealing to eco-conscious consumers and craftsmen alike.

Camphor wood is valued for its aromatic properties and unique grain patterns, often featuring a striking combination of light and dark hues. This lightweight hardwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, making it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Its pleasant scent, derived from the natural oils within the wood, adds a refreshing quality to any space. Additionally, camphor wood is easy to work with, allowing artisans to create intricate designs while benefiting from its durability and beauty.

Rainbow poplar wood, also known as tulipwood, is celebrated for its vibrant colors and unique striped patterns, ranging from creamy white to shades of yellow, green, and lavender. This lightweight hardwood is not only visually striking but also easy to work with, making it a popular choice for crafting furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items. Its fine grain and smooth texture allow for excellent finishes, enhancing its natural beauty. Additionally, rainbow poplar is often sustainably sourced, appealing to environmentally conscious woodworkers and designers.

Redwood is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, characterized by its rich reddish-brown color and straight grain, making it a favorite for outdoor and indoor applications alike. This softwood is exceptionally durable and resistant to decay, insects, and harsh weather, which is why it’s commonly used for decking, furniture, and garden structures. Its lightweight nature and ease of workability allow craftsmen to create intricate designs while benefiting from its inherent strength. Additionally, redwood’s ability to retain its color over time, along with its pleasant aroma, enhances its appeal for those seeking sustainable and attractive building materials.

Purpleheart wood is renowned for its striking, vibrant purple hue that can deepen over time, making it a visually captivating choice for woodworking projects. This dense hardwood is exceptionally durable and resistant to wear, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, and decorative items. Its fine, straight grain allows for smooth finishes and intricate designs, enhancing its appeal to artisans and craftsmen. Additionally, purpleheart is often sustainably sourced, appealing to eco-conscious consumers who appreciate both its beauty and environmental responsibility.

Cedar wood is highly valued for its distinctive aroma, rich color, and natural resistance to decay and pests, making it a preferred choice for outdoor projects like decking and fencing. Known for its lightweight and durable nature, cedar is easy to work with and holds up well in various weather conditions. Its natural oils not only contribute to its longevity but also provide a beautiful finish that can enhance the wood’s grain patterns. Additionally, cedar’s attractive appearance and aromatic qualities make it a popular choice for closets and storage, helping to protect garments while imparting a pleasant scent.

Bocote wood is highly regarded for its stunning appearance, featuring striking golden-brown tones and bold, dark stripes that create a dramatic visual effect. This dense hardwood is not only beautiful but also incredibly durable, making it an excellent choice for high-quality furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items. Its fine grain and smooth texture allow for intricate detailing and a polished finish, appealing to artisans and woodworkers alike. Additionally, bocote is known for its natural resistance to decay, ensuring that pieces made from this wood can last for generations while retaining their beauty.

Sycamore wood is known for its unique, attractive grain patterns and pale, creamy color, often featuring striking flecks that give it a distinctive appearance. This hardwood is relatively lightweight yet strong, making it a versatile choice for furniture, cabinetry, and turning projects. Its fine, even texture allows for a smooth finish, enhancing its natural beauty and making it suitable for both modern and traditional designs. Additionally, sycamore is easy to work with and takes stain and paint well, providing ample opportunities for creative expression in woodworking projects.

​Zebrawood is celebrated for its striking appearance, characterized by bold, dark brown and light golden stripes that resemble the pattern of a zebra. This exotic hardwood is not only visually stunning but also durable, making it a popular choice for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments. Its unique grain patterns and fine texture allow for beautiful finishes that enhance its natural beauty. Additionally, zebrawood's resilience to wear and decay makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, ensuring that it remains a captivating choice for years to come.

Acrylics are increasingly popular in woodturning for their vibrant colors and versatility, allowing artisans to create stunning and unique pieces. These synthetic materials can mimic the appearance of exotic woods while offering a wide range of patterns and hues that enhance creativity. Acrylics are lightweight and easy to work with, making them ideal for turning, shaping, and finishing, resulting in smooth, polished surfaces. Additionally, their durability and resistance to moisture make acrylic pieces suitable for both decorative and functional items, adding a modern touch to traditional woodturning practices.

Cherry wood is prized for its rich, warm color and smooth grain, making it a favorite among furniture makers and woodworkers. Over time, cherry wood deepens in hue, developing a beautiful patina that enhances its natural beauty. Its fine, even texture allows for precise detailing, making it ideal for both traditional and modern designs. Additionally, cherry is known for its durability and strength, ensuring that pieces crafted from this wood can be cherished for generations.

Oak wood is renowned for its strength, durability, and distinctive grain patterns, making it a staple in furniture and cabinetry. Available in both red and white varieties, oak offers a range of colors, from light to dark tones, that can complement any decor. Its natural resistance to moisture and wear makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Additionally, oak's ability to take stain and finish well allows for versatile design options, enhancing its popularity among craftsmen and homeowners alike.

Walnut wood is highly esteemed for its rich, deep color and striking grain patterns, making it a favorite in high-end furniture and cabinetry. Its dark hues can range from a warm brown to a deep chocolate, often featuring lighter streaks that add character and elegance. Known for its strength and stability, walnut is both durable and easy to work with, allowing for intricate designs and smooth finishes. Additionally, walnut's natural resistance to decay makes it an excellent choice for both functional and decorative pieces that stand the test of time.

Monkey puzzle wood, derived from the unique Araucaria araucana tree, is prized for its distinctive grain and striking appearance, featuring bold, interlocking patterns. This hardwood is known for its impressive strength and durability, making it an excellent choice for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. Its natural resistance to decay and pests adds to its longevity, ensuring that pieces made from monkey puzzle wood can endure the test of time. Additionally, its rich, warm tones range from light to dark brown, adding a touch of elegance to any design.

Mahogany wood is highly regarded for its rich, warm tones and beautiful, straight grain, making it a preferred choice for fine furniture and cabinetry. Known for its durability and resistance to warping, mahogany stands the test of time while maintaining its elegant appearance. The wood’s ability to take stains and finishes well allows for a variety of design styles, from classic to contemporary. Additionally, its natural luster and deep color develop a stunning patina over the years, enhancing its appeal for both artisans and collectors alike.

Rosewood is highly prized for its rich, deep color and distinctive grain patterns, often featuring striking variations of purple, brown, and black. Known for its durability and natural oil content, rosewood is resistant to moisture and pests, making it ideal for high-quality furniture and musical instruments. The wood's smooth texture allows for intricate carvings and finishes, adding a touch of elegance to any piece. Additionally, rosewood has a luxurious aroma and is often associated with fine craftsmanship, making it a sought-after material in both traditional and contemporary designs.

Maple wood is prized for its fine, even grain and light, creamy color, which can range from nearly white to a warm golden hue. Known for its exceptional hardness and durability, maple is a popular choice for furniture, cabinetry, and flooring, able to withstand heavy use while maintaining its beauty. Its smooth surface takes stain and finish exceptionally well, allowing for a variety of design styles, from traditional to modern. Additionally, maple's natural resistance to abrasion makes it an ideal material for kitchen items like cutting boards and utensils, ensuring longevity and functionality.

Padauk wood is celebrated for its vivid reddish-orange color and striking grain patterns, which can darken to a deep red-brown over time. This durable hardwood is known for its resistance to decay and insects, making it an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor applications, including furniture and cabinetry. Its smooth texture and ability to take finishes well allow artisans to create beautifully detailed pieces that stand out. Additionally, padauk's sustainability and availability make it a popular option among eco-conscious woodworkers looking for unique materials.

​Black walnut wood is prized for its rich, dark brown color and striking grain patterns, which can include beautiful swirls and knots that add character to each piece. Renowned for its strength and durability, black walnut is a favorite among furniture makers and craftsmen for both traditional and contemporary designs. Its smooth texture allows for a fine finish, enhancing the wood's natural beauty and depth. Additionally, black walnut's resistance to warping and decay ensures that items crafted from this wood can be cherished for generations.

Wenge wood is celebrated for its deep, dark brown color and striking, pronounced grain patterns, often featuring lighter streaks that add depth and character. Known for its exceptional density and hardness, wenge is a favorite among furniture makers and artisans for creating durable, high-quality pieces. Its rich hue and smooth texture take finishes beautifully, allowing for stunning visual effects in both contemporary and traditional designs. Additionally, wenge’s natural resistance to wear and decay makes it ideal for a variety of applications, from flooring to cabinetry, ensuring longevity and elegance.

Osage orange wood is renowned for its vibrant yellow to golden hue, which can deepen to a rich amber over time, creating a stunning visual appeal. This dense hardwood is exceptionally strong and durable, making it ideal for outdoor projects like furniture, fencing, and flooring. Its unique grain patterns and smooth texture allow for intricate designs and finishes, making it a favorite among craftsmen. Additionally, osage orange is naturally resistant to decay and pests, ensuring that pieces made from this wood can endure the elements while maintaining their beauty.

Sapele wood is highly regarded for its rich, reddish-brown color and striking grain patterns, which can range from straight to interlocking, creating a beautiful visual texture. This hardwood is durable and versatile, making it an excellent choice for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative veneers. Its smooth surface takes stain and finish exceptionally well, allowing artisans to highlight its natural beauty in various design styles. Additionally, sapele is known for its resistance to decay, ensuring that pieces crafted from this wood can withstand the test of time while maintaining their elegant appearance.