World of Wood

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOOD COLLECTORS SOCIETY

Volume 64, Number 3 May-June 2011

2011—the year of Better Wood Knowledge This special program begins on page 14 2011 is also the United Nations Year of Forests May-June 2011 World of Wood 1 World of Wood Vol. 64, No. 3 ISSN 1068-7300 May/June 2011 The International Wood Collectors Society, founded in 1947, is a non-profit society advancing information on wood. Officers and Trustees Contents President: Garry Roux The President’s Message...... 3 Vice President : Position Vacant. President-elect : Gary Gronborg “A kind of Magic” ...... 4 Secretary-Treasurer: Bill & Myrtle Cockrell ... sorting through the off-cuts ...... 6 Publications Chairman: Chuck Holder Endowment FundChairman: Allen Nemetz Florida addiction—it’s catching ...... 7 Archivist: Dennis Wilson Past President: Art Lee Turned lidded boxes ...... 8 Regional Trustees AustralAsian Annual Meeting notice . . . . 9 NE USA (2009-2012) Ron DeWitt SE USA (2010-2013) Tom Kinney Trees of Panama and Costa Rica ...... 9 Great Lakes USA (2008-2011) Bob Chastain African Trees and Wood ...... 10 Central USA (2009-2012) Stan King NW USA (2010-2013) Alan Curtis Old Wood No. 2 ...... 12 SW USA (2008-2011) Les Campbell Merssage from Gary Green ...... 12 Canada (2009-2012) Robert Ritchie UK (2010-2012) Bob Goddard Rediscovering Wood—the key to a AustralAsia (2010-2013) Brian Davis sustainable future ...... 13 EuroAfrica (2010-2013) Willem Hurkmans A tribute to Frank Lynn and the Committee Chairpersons Spruce Goose ...... 13 All-Mail Auction: Art Brennan Membership: Gary Gronborg Exploring... Wood Identification ...... 14 New-member Correspondent: Bill Cockrell Saving Remarkable Trees ...... 16 Wood Import Permit: Alan Curtis Wood Specimen Kit: Gary Green A Favorite Wood ...... 18 Web Master: Erlene Tarleton Growth Rings: The IWCS Record . . . . . 20 Website Committee: Chuck Holder Corporate Membership Coordinator: Daryle Layton Shrubwoods of the World ...... 22 Student Membership Coordinator: Les Campbell A Wood Microtomist’s Life ...... 24 Craft Sales Coordinator: Allan Schwindt The Sapwood-heartwood Transition . . . 25 Member’s Listings and Requests ...... 26 Book Review ...... 27 Australian Woods No 27 ...... 28 All contact details have been removed. Regis-tree ...... 30 Wood Meets ...... 31 Book Review ...... 32

Editor: Morris Lake World of Wood, published bimonthly by the International Wood Collectors Society, is 22 Julia St, Highgate Hill, Q 4101 devoted to distributing information on collecting wood, correctly identifying and AUSTRALIA naming wood specimens, and using wood in creative crafts. Contributions for publication may be educational, scientific, technical or of general interest to members Phone: From overseas: 061 07 3844 1246 and relevant to the purposes of the Society. Papers may be refereed by an Editorial Within Australia: (07) 3844 1246 Board of technically trained members. The phrases ‘World of Wood’, ‘ IWCS Wood E-mail: [email protected] Data Sheet’ and all materials contained herein are © Copyright protected by the Associate Editors: International Wood Collectors Society. Address requests to reprint material to the Ken Bassett — Washington, USA. editor. Richard Crow — Cornwall, England. World of Wood is published as a benefit to members of the IWCS, a non-profit Alan Curtis — Oregon, USA. organization of botanists, dendrologists, and other scientists, technologists, wood Ron DeWitt — New York, USA. collectors, hobbyists and crafts people for mutual assistance and reciprocation. Eugene Dimitriadis—Victoria, Australia. David Greve — Queensland, Australia. Membership rates for individuals or couples worldwide are: US $35 annually, US $90 for Fred Holder—Washington, USA. 3 years, US $125 for 5years and US $500 for life membership. Student Membership is US$15 per year. Corporate Membership US$125 annually, US$325 for 3 years, US$450 for Willem Hurkmans — Overijssel, Netherlands. 5 years. Applications are available from the Secretary-Treasurer or from the IWCS Ernie Ives — Suffolk, England. website. Dues and address changes also should be directed to the Secretary-Treasurer. Barry and Danielle James—South Africa. Nelis Mourik—South Holland, Netherlands. We encourage your membership in our unique international organization. Susan Stamm — Wisconsin, USA. Cover photographs. Background; Mountain silky oak (Orites excelsa). IWCS World wide web site: Centre: Photos of a slice of fiddleback Australian walnut. See page 4. http://www.woodcollectors.org 2 World of Wood May-June 2011 The President’s Message from Garry Roux

Greetings Everyone

First off, I want to thank Gary mirror and ask yourself, “hey, what Gronborg for assuming the role of can I do to help this organization?” President Elect. As outlined in the Maybe it’s as the Vice-President, or International Wood Collectors Society, Trustee, or Chairman, or meeting Roles and Responsibilities dated June 6, host—someone has to do these 2001, Policy number RR03. The duties. Tell the person in the mirror appointment did not need board your answer. approval, but to ease any questions, I put it to a vote. The appointment On other issues, the Annual Meeting passed. Congratulations Gary is just around the corner. There will only be one more issue of this good variety of information in this A second appointment to announce journal before that meeting. If you is that of Gary Green as the new journal. There are members that have anything you want to publish could do follow up stories Specimen Chairman. Gary Green has for that meeting you need to get it in. indicated that he will be ready to regarding some articles that have accept orders by the end of June. I have been talking with Bob and been written. Take some pictures Judy Chastain, and they and their of some interesting trees and write Thank you to Dan Keierleber for the crew are working hard to make this a story. Talk about your services you provided this a very enjoyable meeting. Please help collections, some interesting facts organization. them by sending in your registration about yourself . The list can go on Willem Hurkmans, Gary Green, in order for them to confirm how and on. Please send in something. Mark Duff and Dan Keierleber will many members will be attending. How are you coming with be doing some field collecting in Remember to donate to the wood recruiting new members, have you Texas—as this journal is being and craft auctions. This is the main taken the time to talk to some new printed. Welcome to the United fund raiser for this organization. friends, done any presentations or States, Willem. Could I talk you into Also, the registration form for demonstrations? writing a story about your trip here? Florida will be posted very soon. I will keep this message short so Since Gary Gronborg is now Sometimes, what I have to put in this you will have time to think about President Elect, we have an open message is redundant, but we need what you can do to help. position on the board—that of Vice- more articles for Morris Lake. This is See you soon. President—which needs to be filled. very important so Morris can keep a When you read this, go and look in a

Thought for this issue from Gary Green I think that I shall never see A note for contributors A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed Please submit articles as you Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; complete them. A tree that looks at God all day, I can then place them into future And lifts her leafy arms to pray; editions so each edition will A tree that may in Summer wear present a balance of topics. If A nest of robins in her hair; possible I will advise when they Upon whose bosom snow has lain; will appear. Who intimately lives with rain. Last minute changes before: Poems are made by people like me, But only God can make a tree. 1 July for the July/August 2011 Alfred Joyce Kilmer E-mail copy to: [email protected]

May-June 2011 World of Wood 3 “A kind of Magic” —

Queensland walnut veneer by Rick Banas #9557

Once in a blue moon—on vary rare In this article I wish to discuss a occasions—extremely valuable, one- truly exceptional parcel of of-a-kind logs, or parcels of logs, Australian walnut (Endiandra become available on the market. palmerstonii) which was purchased Such rarities are in high demand. by Fritz Kohl and its subsidiary But the road to veneer production Interwood. Locally this species is can be a long and thorny one, and called Queensland walnut, along one which requires copious with black walnut. experience, a specialist’s knowledge, As is often the case with rare wood as well as a bit of luck. species, this Australian rarity has a In order to produce high quality special history of it’s own. The veneers, there must be careful natural growth of Australian walnut planning of the felling of the trees, is limited to the mountainous coastal their handling, their sawing, the region of northern Queensland with flitching, the cooking, the slicing, the its tropical climate. In 1988, the drying, and the clipping... all this, in rainforests of northern Queensland A slice coming off the flitch, showing order to achieve the utmost in yield, were certified as a UNESCO World considerable fiddleback figure. dimension, structure of grain, and Heritage Site. In so doing, Australia desired figure. wanted to emphasize the importance The largest parcel of of protecting this unspoiled area If all of these operations are done where the Daintree Rainforest is Australian walnut in 50 years correctly, the effort can be rewarded located. As to the harvesting of trees in this with a highly prized and unique area, its World Heritage protection veneer which develops a magic of it’s The history of the Daintree and the would imply that virtually no own—and can create a desire and Northern Tablelands rainforest area permits will be granted. hype throughout the industry. is believed to go back more than 135 million years—some authorities It is therefore an exceptionally rare In the long history of the family claim 240 million years—and it is not set of circumstances that has made owned company —Fritz Kohl GMBH only the oldest, but also the most it possible for us, as world-class & Co KG, based in Karlstadt, diverse rainforest area in the world. veneer specialists, to obtain veneer Germany, and with a subsidiary The area has also been protected from this privately owned parcel of company, Interwood Forest Products under the Australian Environment 13 logs of Australian walnut, which Inc., based in Kentucky, USA, we Protection and Biodiversity and has been acquired in accordance have acquired many of these rare Conservation Act since 1999. Without with the Australian Protection and logs and have developed a prior official permission by the Biodiversity and Conservation Act as reputation based on quality in veneer Queensland Government, nobody is well as the Vegetation and specialities. allowed to take Management Act, which was any action requested from the Department of which has any Environmental Resource impact on a Management as well as the World Heritage Australian Government. Site, or on any The 300 plus, year old trees, of it’s belonged to an 88 year old private endangered land owner who sees himself as The species, or Guardian of his land which has been which may in his family for many generations, cause any and his lifelong work has been in ecological the wood manufacturing industry. impairment. His main objective has been and continues to be, to preserve and Operations in the protect his forest and property. harvesting and The Guardian leads a simple and loading of the logs. solitary life, where his love was first

4 World of Wood May-June 2011 Australia, and upon arrival, Frederich Kohl—of Fritz Kohl, and I came back to Australia for veneer inspection during which we acquired 50, 000 square meters (540,000 square feet) of the finest Australian walnut veneers ever seen. The veneers were then shipped to Interwood in the USA where they were graded and divided up and shared with Fritz Kohl Germany. Thirty thousand square meters (from 3 trees) had intense fiddleback figure with contrasting straight stripe, wide widths and all lengths of 11' (340cm)— ideal for One of the oldest of the Australian walnut log marked ready for sawing. architectural projects. The other twenty thousand square and foremost for his forests which subsidiary of Fritz Kohl Karlstadt meters of this parcel of special took top priority over any financial Germany, I had expressed interest in wood, also had equally wide offers which were often made to him the Queensland walnut to him while widths, contrasting straight grain throughout his life. It was only on a trip through Australia. So, now with relatively no figure—also ideal following a typhoon which knocked the adventure begins. for architectural projects. down several of his trees, that he The logs were carefully sawn to realized ‘it was time’ to harvest, Never before have I seen such a length and shipped in containers to parcel of quality and quantity. This rejuvenate, and afforest the land for China to a first-class veneer mill future generations to come. historical parcel of logs has taken which allowed for the proper over 2 years to produce and has An Australian timber agent who had flitching of these large gems of the now travelled well over 25,000 miles developed a relationship with The forest. Proper cooking, slicing, (37,500 km) and has touched 4 Guardian, over the years, was given drying, and clipping was supervised continents. permission—and the honour—to by the Australian timber company. harvest the trees. Two years prior to Once production was completed, the Truly “a kind of magic”. this however, as the General veneers were shipped back to Manager of Interwood Forest Products Inc. (USA), a wholly-owned

The consignment of Australian walnut logs during shipment and ready for processing. More images can be seen via website: www.ifpveneer.com.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 5 ... sorting through the off-cuts by Morris Lake #7634

It’s exciting to announce the start of already out there—the most widely know, it just is . . . I’ve worked with it the IWCS Wood Identification used and recommended guide is all my life and that’s how I know’. project. On pages 14 and 15 of this Hoadley’s, Understanding Wood- a I would very much like to have issue you will find the Introduction craftsman’s guide to wood technology. more of us ‘turn the corner’ and to this project— to kick- start you But these guides represent wood become more capable of recording on your way to better wood identification as it is viewed from one more information about the wood identification—because that is what area of this huge globe. Some are structure, in accordance with the this project is all about. pretty comprehensive, but they are all story told to us by the growth rings, Despite the fact that identification centered around a confined area and the pores, the rays, etc., and by so is a core component for the centre on a rather specific group of doing increase our overall existence of IWCS, we have really species to a large extent—so, again appreciation of what constitutes the not given the process of they are largely only a starting point. identification of particular species of identification much exposure in the The aim of this project is to compile a wood. The IWCS will also be past. worldwide Wood Identification Manual. enhanced when that happens, Ian McLaughlin has compiled the Not necessarily the most because a large proportion of the first section of this exciting project. comprehensive possible, but because world’s woods have not yet been It’s not rocket science, far from it, we are worldwide, and because we studied—even in a very basic way and this is a very basic tend to have in our collections, woods —and recorded. introduction. For some it will be from, not just around our own neck of We have members skilled at wood blindingly obvious, but it will still the woods, but wood from all over, identification, and it is to be hoped remain, that there are many then it’s essential we have a system of that we can progressively encourage members who have never picked identification that reflects that more members to develop that up a lens to look at the structure of situation. skill— it is not going to happen the wood in their collection. Most of us start by just picking up a overnight—but I would hope that If you haven’t experienced wood new wood and turning it over in our progressively more and more identification tecniques before, can hands, perhaps smelling it, and members can be encouraged to pick I encourage you to start here. This feeling what it’s like, is it slippery or up the lens and use it to identify is a golden opportunity to work greasy? Is it heavy? Has it got an features helpful in the identification alongside other IWCS members and open grain? or whatever—we then of wood. as we progress through the project, mentally file that information in our On pages 14 and 15 in this issue, Ian I sincerely hope that it will promote subconscious, and the next thing we gives us information to enable us to discussion as the topics arise in know, we gradually become more take that first step. When we pick each successive issue. If you don’t proficient at identification by using up a lens, how do we hold it and understand some aspect of what is these acquired skills—combined with use it? And having looked through presented, then I want to encourage a pretty good guess at identifying the the lens, what are you going to see? you to e-mail or write to myself or wood—I know, because I am as To my knowledge, this is the first the authors of the project with your guilty as most at doing this. Well time IWCS has attempted to questions and these queries can be there is a better way, and I’m going to produce its own Wood Identification answered in successive issues of the be very frank—it’s rare to see an Manual through the medium of the World of Wood. It’s a very good bet, IWCS member take out a lens and World of Wood. Individuals, or that if you don’t understand, or look closely at a specimen that has groups throughout the world have need clarification on a point, then been dropped into his hands—and from time to time run courses, but there will be others who will also be that’s not going to take us very far what we want to achieve now is to: in the same boat. In so doing it is down the road to better wood • encourage as many members as hoped that by the completion of the identification. It’s some way there, possible to pick up a lens and project, in a year or so, we can end but we all soon hit a brick wall. make the first step up with a substantial document Personally, I am vitally interested in • produce a Wood Identification that represents a world wide view recording the knowledge that is Manual which will help all on the subject of wood currently in the minds of proficient current and future members. identification and as a bonus have IWCS members. Unfortunately when more members, more proficient in I approach these members and often identification. ask them how they identified such- I know and fully realise there are and-such a wood they invariably, quite a few published guides shrug their shoulders, and say, ’I don’t

6 World of Wood May-June 2011 Florida addiction—it’s catching by Roger and Karen Lacasse #7678

I’m kind of sitting there with a containers but after chuckle as I think about the fact that being intrigued with we have traveled 2,500 kilometers to Garry’s shaker box watch Garry’s skilled hands bend a demonstration, I did a boiled and softened piece of cherry, little homework. It seems that’s absolutely not thicker than 1/ that Shakers 16" —I’m told—around a shaker-box made mold at the most recent IWCS somewhere Florida Woodfest. around 20 And that was after Jim Zoellner had different sizes Stackable ‘tupperware’ in eagerly shared knowledge on exactly of oval boxes the form of shaker boxes. how many molecules thick a piece of ranging from 1" by 2" up to wood could be for any particular practices that included something bending radius . . . that is so that it enthusiastic singing, over 38" would bend without fracturing… dancing and shaking. At long— each What a strange addictions we all their peak in the mid precisely scaled so that it fits inside share. Wood nuts for sure! 1800’s, there were maybe 6,000 the next larger size. Of course I’m not really referring to followers at most. Their belief in Garry used a table saw and then my husband and I. We have a much celibacy made growing the sander to dimension the side panels, better excuse. Any of us from the far numbers somewhat challenging making each 3-5" longer than the north will find any reason to escape and expansion was limited by the perimeter of the box. This allowed three feet of snow, in the hopes that number of orphans available for the sides to overlap with hand-cut when we return the white stuff will adoption and indoctrination. arrow shaped fingers, sometimes be gone. What amazed me though was their called swallowtails. It is in fact one of influence on furniture design. In But I digress. It really was fun to see the identifying characteristics of a fact there are probably more how craftsman from shaker box, but woodworkers today, whose the 1800’s with very more than that, ultimate goal is to create perfect few tools and only the design allowed reproduction shaker furniture than ingenuity to rely on for some degree of their ever was involved in the crafted such elegant seasonal expansion religious organization. and yet functional and contraction ‘Tupperware’. In fact without putting For such a small group of people, this organization undue stress on the even IWCS is offering workshops might suggest they wooden structure. on reproducing some of their invented the concept Garry then showed designs and Amazon.com has no of stackable us how they used less than 100 books discussing special copper everything from their panel raising tacks and even wooden planes, to the toothpicks to hold mathematical analysis of the ratio the box together, and NO glue. of the major and minor axes of a traditional set of shaker boxes— So who were the Shakers? that’s someone that has too much And I say ‘were’ because today there time on their hands. are only two living Shakers that Maybe if I wanted to be a little reside at Sabbath Day Lake in Maine, political I could reiterate that small USA. They are descendants of a groups can have a big impact. small splinter group of the Shaking Maybe that’s what a few passionate Quakers that traveled from England soles are trying to do with IWCS. to America in 1774 to find religious Thanks to all of you for sharing freedom. Their name evolved from your passion and patience with this their rather exuberant worship inquisitive wood addicted soul. Oval shaker boxes.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 7 Turned lidded boxes by Keith Towe. #1480L

I have collected standard 6" x 3" x ½” With lidded boxes, there is much specimens since first joining IWCS discussion as to the fit of the lid. back in the mid 1960s, and if possible, Personally, I prefer a nice fitting I also tried to secure additional lid, neither too tight nor too loose, sections to test the timbers turning but if the box is a high quality qualities. exhibition piece, or a ladies I had occasionally turned lidded jewellery box to be opened with boxes for friends and family, and one hand to deposit valuable ear often inserted a coin in the lid to rings, etc., then a loose lid could be commemorate a birthday, wedding more appropriate. Zircote (Cordia dodacandra) with a small or some special event, although old In the last few years, I have settled piece of black palm (Normanbya Australian silver coins are now on a simple design with an angled normanbyi) inserted (49mm.dia.) becoming quite expensive. edge to the lid so that it is very I found the task of developing easy to grip, and to remove from Editors note: Keith has served two various turned box shapes a great the base, and I think they look periods as AustralAsian Regional learning process, and one that attractive. Trustee, from 1980-1982, and again requires some thought as to holding, To add some unique aspect to the from 1987-1989, when he hosted the finishing, etc. lid, I often insert a small disk of Third International IWCS Meeting in In 2002, during a period on poor rare or colourful wood into the lid. Melbourne in 1988. He is the longest health and medical uncertainty, and A few of my boxes are shown on serving Australian IWCS member with plenty of time for reflection, I this page and are from 85 mm dia. and is the Regional Archivist and is decided to make 50 turned lidded to 49 mm dia. held in high regard by many IWCS boxes of all shapes and sizes in a members here and throughout the year, by way of looking to the future. world.

Fiddleback messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) box with coco bolo (Dalbergia Sandalwood (Santalum retusa) insert. acuminatum) box. English Holly box ( Ilex aquifolium).

Mallee root (Eucalyptus sp.) with Pink Ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) with a Orange boxwood (Maytenus Australian ebony (Diospyros piece of reclaimed ivory inserted. disperma) box. fasciculosa) insert. 8 World of Wood May-June 2011 AustralAsian Regional Meeting 14-21 November, 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand Nau mai, harer mai —Otantahi (Welcome to Christchurch)

Proposed program Day 5 Focus on Christchurch Day 1 Arrival and orientation Tour of centre city, notable trees and Evening geography of Canterbury and briefing earthquake effects, New Zealand sculptures, for Day 2. Maori carving school, timer merchant #3, Day 2 Focus on Forestry Mona Vale. Late afternoon/evening - Maori From nursery to plantations including the Marae tour, concert and hangi dinner. oldest planted forest in New Zealand, Spark Day 6 Administration museum, tourist activities, winery. Evening - AGM, auction, nutcracker competition presentation on forestry. judging. Evening - Project Crimson with Day 3 Focus on Christchurch Lindsay Holland (IWCS member) on West From preserved native forests, Antarctic Coast and native forests. Centre, timber merchant #1, tree nursery, Day 7 Day in the Country School of Forestry, Botanic Gardens. Evening - use and properties of New Zealand timber. Riccarton market, Cracker of a Nut (walnuts), arboretum, Rakaia Gorge, native Day 4 Highway 1 to Ashburton forests, “woolie and warm” NZ made From cookies, knitworks, woods, timber garments, niche shopping in Geraldine. merchant #2, Rakaia salmon, Ashford spinning Evening - what you didn’t have time to see. wheels, Bob Lynn’s museum or Annie’s quilt Day 8 Pack up and good byes shop, picnic tea in plantation. Evening - de Mont Pens - bespoke penmaking.

Registration form is available from the meeting Organiser, Graham Trost. E-mail: [email protected]

Trees of Panama and Costa Rica sometimes flowers or fruits, and there are 482 distribution maps. By Condit. R., Perez. R., and Daguerre. N Princeton University press, 2010 It would have been nice if there had been photos of ISBN 978-0-691-14707-9 : hardback £59/US $ 85 whole trees, but disappointingly, there are none, ISBN 978-0-691-14710-9 : softcover; £35-50/US $45 though occasionally, some trunks are shown. Another shortcoming is the fact that the photos of the sprigs, though well presented and usually quite When I heard that a book called Trees of Panama and sharp, and displayed against the unobtrusive Costa Rica was due to be published by Princeton background of the plain page, are accompanied by University Press, I thought ‘’how marvellous,’’ so I shadow which ought to have been edited out, as its visited the university’s web-site, studied the resume, presence imparts a blurred effect to the images. and then looked forward in anticipation to obtaining a Nevertheless, this volume is a desirable acquisition copy. for any tree enthusiast. The book is a field guide, (the first one covering this Best wishes region), and it deals with almost 500 species. There are Ramsey Pattison # 4748 438 colour photos of sprigs showing leaves, and

May-June 2011 World of Wood 9 African Trees and Wood

by Barry and Danielle James #9380 Berchemia zeyheri (Red ivory) Family: Rhamnaceae

Red ivory sells! of South Africa, We have yet to meet a woodworker Swaziland, or woodturner who will put aside red Mozambique, ivory and select another species, Botswana and unless they have a specific project in Zimbabwe. mind that requires a different wood. In that case, they usually find what Common names they need for the project, and then take some red ivory as well! Berchemia zeyheri has become known throughout the Distribution world as pink ivory, Although red ivory (Berchemia so readers may be Red ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) trees. zeyheri) is described by some as “rarer wondering whether than diamonds”, the tree is, in fact, red ivory is another not rare and even described as new and exciting species. Actually, common in the bushveld areas of they are one and the same and that South Africa, such as Zululand in is the problem with using common KwaZulu-Natal. However, in the names. In its place of origin, the tree Kruger National Park it is described is known as red ivory – “red” as scarce, with brown ivory obviously describing the colour of (Berchemia discolor) being described as the wood and “ivory” perhaps rare. In the Kruger Park, red ivory alluding to the value and desirability trees are said to reach heights of 15 of the wood. The wood ranges in metres, but in other areas they are colour from pale pink to the deepest described as small to medium trees, shades of red, and the pink colour being between 3-12 m in height. obviously gave rise to the other Red ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) leaves. Deciduous red ivory trees are found common name of pink ivory. at low to medium altitudes, in sugary treat. The bark and leaves riverine forest and along Uses are also used by people in watercourses, in open woodland, The tiny, yellow-to-red fruits are traditional medicine. Game and often on termite mounds, and on sweet and delicious, but with a large livestock browse the trees, with rocky ridges. These attractive pip to fruit ratio, one has to eat a lot porcupines enjoying the bark and bushveld trees can be found in areas of fruit to feel satisfied. For this many birds and animals benefiting reason, the fruit is often gathered from the ripe fruit. and stored until it forms a thick, Apart from the beauty of the wood, its hardness and durability make it suitable for furniture, turnery, ornaments, small boxes, jewellery, bows, walking sticks and curios. Amongst the traditional Zulu people, the tree is known as the royal tree because only chiefs are allowed to carry knob- Two red ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) bowls sticks made from it. one showing bright red, the other more pink.

10 World of Wood May-June 2011 Other properties: Shrinkage Green-Oven Dry: Radial 4.82% Tangential 7.24% Green-Air Dry: Radial 3.51% Tangential 5.56% Density (at 10% mc): 1040 (990-1100) kg/m3 Modulus of Rupture: 153 MPa Red ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) specimen. Modulus of Elasticity: 15421 MPa Compression Parallel to Grain: 80.6 MPa Toughness 42.5 Nm

Red ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) block. You will note the colour ranges from pale pink to the deepest shades of red as in the specimen..

All of these factors contribute The wood to making this very desirable Although red ivory trees wood somewhat rare and themselves are not rare, finding certainly very special. large, clean, straight logs is very When working with red ivory, difficult. Even on bigger logs, the you will find the texture of the A freshly cut log showing sapwood recovery of quality wood is often wood to be fine and even, with and some centre cracking. very poor. Once, when preparing a straight to interlocked grain. an order for high quality, deep It seasons slowly and is prone to end red pen blanks, we only achieved checking and splitting if exposed to to a lustrous, smooth finish, but, a recovery rate of 8.7 %. There is the sun, but is very durable and when sanding, it tends to clog up the often a high proportion of creamy resistant to borer and fungi. Because sandpaper quite quickly. It paints sapwood and the centres of most of the hardness of the wood, tungsten- and varnishes well, but to prevent logs have large cracks radiating tipped saw teeth are recommended, the pretty pink or beautiful red outwards. Being a bushveld tree but it saws fairly well if done slowly. colour of your piece of red ivory also means that they are often It glues well, but from turning to brown, the use of found growing in private or pre-boring will be varnishes with ultra violet filters are public protected areas, such necessary when recommended. as game reserves, making nailing to prevent the wood generally splitting. The inaccessible. wood planes well

A recorder and a pen made of red ivory.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 11 Old Wood No. 2 by Allan Schwindt #8209L Longbows from the Mary Rose

A few years ago while visiting with lbs. and were still in shootable Frank Lynn at his home in Kelso WA, condition. One of them is shown he said, “you’re an Archer and I’m sure in the photo. Very few of the you’d like to see these.” He showed me arrows survived the centuries some photographs of an old warship underwater as they were made named the “Mary Rose” which was one of willow, beech, ash, birch and of King Henry VIII’s favorite vessels. In hornbeam. a battle with the French navy, the Mary As can be seen, the longbows Rose was sunk on July 19, 1545 with were more than six feet long. more than 400 men on board. Several They were shot mostly from of the photos were of various artifacts below deck by removing panels found in the hull when it was raised which gave the archer a view of from the bottom of the ocean in 1982. the enemy ship alongside. The The artifacts included a wide range of archers were well trained in objects, including a number of items warfare with the longbows and made from wood. The wood items could accurately eliminate their were: adversaries at 100 yards or more. • two violins, Ever since the mid 1300s, • wooden beer tankards, beginning with King Henry I, the • several platters and bowls, English boys and men had been well I have since become friends with a • a large long handled ladle and trained in shooting the bow and longbow enthusiast who lives in • many English and European yew arrow and they were a formidable New Zealand and who has closely longbows. army ready whenever needed. Their examined two of the bows salvaged The ship had sailed with 250 longbows arrows could easily penetrate from the Mary Rose. He tells me that and more than 8,000 arrows. chainmail armor at ranges up to 200 the yew appears to have deteriorated Most of the longbows were found to yards. They were, without a doubt, a very little in the 437 years that it was have draw weights of more than 100 force to be feared. submerged in the sea.

Merssage from Gary Green

Hi fellow wood collectors, IWCS auctions, several from my attend the Jasonville, IN meet on May My winter list of new specimens previous field collecting trips, and 21st. Please join us at this meet and rub arrives a bit late this year. I was several others… shoulders with one of our blessed with a very busy and As always, first ordered first served. international members! This said I prosperous winter in the lumber and Order as many of each as you like but may not be able to get all orders filled woodworking business which left little all immediate orders will be filled promptly but be assured they will be time for preparing new samples. I’ve before I fill the multiples. Please filled in the order received. I will not been on a field collecting trip per se order by item number with an confirm receipt of your order right since the summer of 2008 so my alternate item number if you will away. If you don’t get confirmation offerings this time around include settle for a bark edged or glued up send it again to avoid disappointment. some excellent material from around piece. I will send an invoice with the Lastly, I’m sending my complete list the globe primarily from purchases actual shipping cost, Priority Flat only since many of the items are made at the IWCS annual meeting in Rate Mail usually being the cheapest duplications from my personal the Netherlands and contacts made at and quickest method of shipping collection and with my numbering that meeting. In this listing you will (name your preference if you want system would not appear on the “new find wood or samples from: Dieter another form of shipping). items” list. Unfortunately many of the Becker, Germany, Ian McLaughlin, I will fill the orders ASAP but I’m items available are only one, two or Australia, Lionel Daniels, England, three of a kind. Wish I had enough for Willem Hurkmans, Netherlands, Nelis currently working double overtime and Mr. Willem Hurkmans from the everyone but what it is is what it is. Mourik, Netherlands, Frans Steenland, Hopefully next year y’all will find Netherlands, Richard Kuehndorf, Netherlands will be arriving here on th some new Texas woods on my list. Atlanta, GA, Rocky Bemis, California April 25 (three short weeks). Willem (logger and former IWCS member), and I will be driving to Texas for field Thanks for helping support my habit! David Milligan, California, M. Bohlke collecting and making several side Gary Green Veneer, Cincinnati, OH, A couple trips during his stay. He and I plan to

12 World of Wood May-June 2011 Rediscovering Wood—the key to a sustainable future Bangalore, India, 19-22 October 2011

In collaboration with the Government between wood use and sustainable wood” concert, of India, the Food and Agricultural development be strengthened and field trip, etc.) to Organisation of the United Nations used to promote more and higher- give (FAO) will be holding an international value wood use? participants a conference about wood products and Given that the economic and practical, sustainable development. This environmental dimensions of wood “hands on” message is to announce the first call for product use have been discussed feeling for the papers and inform people that many times before (e.g. at technical themes of the conference. registration for the conference is now and marketing conferences, green More background about the aims and open. building events, etc.), an aim of this objectives of the conference is The overall aim of the conference will conference is to focus, in particular, presented in the conference brochure be to examine how the production and on the socio-economic, aesthetic and (go to :www.artjoywood.org, and use of wood products can contribute to cultural dimensions of wood use details of the programme and sustainable development and how (what we are calling “the art and joy procedures for registration and greater demands for sustainability of wood”). Papers on other aspects of submission of papers are given on the might present new opportunities for wood product development will also conference website . We hope that development of the wood products be considered, so long as they fit this event will be innovative - looking sector. Within this general direction, under one of the themes described at aspects of wood product three themes for the conference are above. (Please also note that we are development and utilisation that may proposed: focusing on solid wood products not have been covered in great detail • Emerging trends in economies and rather than paper or non-wood forest before - and we hope that lifestyles: what are the main trends products). participants will come away with affecting wood use and how can The conference will last for three days some new perspectives on these be utilised to strengthen the with an optional field trip on the developments in the sector. forest products sector? fourth day. It will be held in the J N Illias Animon, Ph.D. • Stories portraying the winds of Tata Auditorium complex at the Forestry Officer (Economics) change: case studies showing how Indian Institute of Science in Food and Agriculture Organization some wood producers and users Bangalore and the expected level of Viale delle Terme di Caracalla have already developed strategies participation is about 250 people. In 00153 Rome, Italy or innovated to build successful addition to the technical programme, Telephone: 06-570-55297 enterprises based on changing there will also be a very full social and Fax. 06-5705-5514 consumer demands and needs. cultural programme (artisans email: [email protected] • Wooden paths to a sustainable exhibitions, photo and non-technical future: how can the linkages poster competition, “music from

A tribute to Frank Lynn and the Spruce Goose Thanks for publishing the Spruce Goose article. In july 2002 Frank Lynn and I had an exclusive tour thruough the plane. Frank and I became friends after the Australia meeting and tour. Frank was a very respected IWCS member for a very long time. Most travelling IWCS members do know him. He was a very good auctioneer. When I visited Frank in 2002 we had a long and interesting ‘timber trail tour’ along the west coast. Unfortunately I never finished the article about this tour. Maybe the picture can be placed as a tribute to Frank. The other Hi! Anyone want to make an picture shows the inisde of the offer on this little baby— Spruce Goose. only one owner! met vriendelijke groet, Tjerk Miedema.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 13 Exploring... Wood Identification By Ian McLaughlin #6624

The fundamentals This article is intended for members having area of about the size on one’s little little experience of wood identification, and fingernail should be enough, but the area want to ‘have a go’ – it is a start on the road to should cover at least one full annual ring Ian is a wood anatomy, though to be a real wood in transverse section. former anatomist it is a long, long road. We don’t Forestry Officer, a keen have to go down to the end of that road, but Using a lens wood collector and was far enough to achieve some satisfaction and Most identifying features are obtained AustralAsian Regional competence. Trustee (2007-2010). from the transverse surface. To conform with usual practice, it is best to imagine Natural variability you are standing at the pith of the tree, Every piece of wood is unique in itself, even looking outwards to the bark. Growth from the same species or from different parts features will then be unfolding away of the same tree. Its age within the tree and from you. its growth rate are fixed, and different from The minimum useful other pieces. This is really natural variation magnifying on the small scale. This doesn’t necessarily power of hand make identification more difficult, but it is lens is 10 X. wise to keep it in mind. 15X is better but more Surface appearance difficult Starting with the proposition that you have a piece of wood of unknown identity, one can to use because the observe some physical/appearance wood surface has to be properties, such as colour (with variations, if closer to the lens. In any), density (which usually goes with practical terms, to examine hardness), difference between sapwood and a surface, first remove heartwood, difference between earlywood spectacles (if any), hold the lens and latewood, whether or not growth rings close to the eye (one’s best eye), are distinct, odour present or not, coarseness even touching the eye-lashes, and of grain and having a greasy feel or not. bring the wood surface up until it is in There may be enough clues from these focus. It is vital to have a sharp focus. observations to arrive at an identification, or It is also vital to have good illumination, at least narrowing its identity to a particular like full sun or a reading lamp. Now you group of woods. should be able to see that the wood is composed of cells of different types, sizes and in different structures – like rays and Close observation growth rings. If you can’t see Beyond those observations, examination of individual vessels (see the piece with some sort of magnification is later), it is probably the way to go, and the simplest is by means of because the cut is a small hand lens. The standard surfaces to not clean enough. examine are the transverse, the longitudinal/ It is just possible radial and the longitudinal/ tangential. The that the vessels transverse surface is the most useful and, of are just too course, is perpendicular to the long axis. To small to be seen observe these surfaces, it is essential that they individually at be cut cleanly with a very sharp knife (a 10X Stanley knife for instance), possibly with the magnification. exception of the longitudinal/radial surface where it may be best to split the wood on its The next step is to learn what different exact radius, thereby allowing better cell types look like. examination of its rays in side view. A cut

14 World of Wood May-June 2011 Different cell types pores or vessels. R. Bruce Hoadley ‘s book Identifying Wood, published by Taunton Press, is fibre. the best book I know of to help with cell identification, and a whole host of other stuff. soft tissue - axil parenchyma. Hoadley deals with the identification of mostly North American softwoods and hardwoods, but the principles involved are much the same for all woods. Examining softwood usually involves soft tissue - ray parenchyma. the use of a microscope, and this is difficult and expensive if one has to buy a microscope. Diagram of a cube of hardwood. Start with hardwoods Source: Wood in Australia by K Bootle. It is best to start on hardwoods where a simple hand lens and a Parenchyma cells which do not have out of a worldwide total of at least sharp knife are adequate—and thickened walls, make up the rays 50,000. A lot of their findings are Hoadley’s book deserves close (there can be ray tracheids too) and however not readily available. reading. This is because, by others may be aligned The facts can be assembled into a reference to his drawings and colour longitudinally, along with fibres and data base, and with the aid of pictures of transverse sections of vessels in various ways. computer programs, a selection of hardwoods, the reader should be able They can be identified, either positive features may lead one to to identify the important basic individually or in various patterns identification. Remember though structures : by their lighter colour; when many that if your piece of wood is not on • pores—or vessels parenchyma cells surround a vessel, that data base, there is no hope of a • soft tissue—which is parenchyma or many vessels, they appear as a correct identification. • and fibres. pale halo/s around the vessel/s. A better way to go, for the amateur, Another type of cell is: There is really only one way to learn is to obtain texts depicting, with • the tracheid. wood identification and that is— colour pictures of magnified like many things in life—you need to transverse section, a limited However, it is difficult to identify, work at it. I suggest examining as number of species. One such text is and for practical purposes need not many transverse sections as one can ‘CSIRO Atlas of Hardwoods’, by Jugo be separated from fibres which they reasonably achieve—and then only Ilic, an Australian wood anatomist. resemble. of hardwoods for a start. And the The book, ISBN 1 86333 0003, whole purpose of this work is to be contains 1284 such colour pictures What do you see? able to distinguish between the and a ‘micro atlas’ of 1600 species With a hand lens one can see different cell types—to be able to tell at microscopic level. When first individual vessels, but rarely one from the other. If the pieces of published in 1991 its price was individuals of other cell types. One wood are of known identity — $A300, but could be obtained very can think of the vessels and good—because you will start to much less now, second hand. parenchyma being imposed on and relate your observations to it. A Apart from Hoadley’s book, there in a background of fibres—this is not piece of wood of unknown identity may be others and I would be glad standard wood anatomy, but it presents a problem—how do you to hear of them. works for me— In most instances, relate your observations to what? If the reader is inspired to ‘have a one cannot see individual fibres cells, go’, it’s the start of a journey ‘down because they are too small to see at Identification aids the road’. In a future article I will 10X magnification, but because they Wood anatomists—their peak body attempt to illustrate standard usually have thickened walls, they is the International Association of descriptions of the various ways appear darker than the other cells Wood Anatomists—have compiled a the different cell types are and are usually aggregated together. set of facts regarding many species, aggregated in wood structure. numbering perhaps 10,000 to 20,000

May-June 2011 World of Wood 15 Saving Remarkable Trees The Champion Tree Project of South Africa by Izak van der Merwe, South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

South Africa ranks third in the world and Fisheries endeavors to protect the in our lives. Creating awareness for its diversity of plant and animal most important trees pro-actively. This about the tree heritage is an species, and is also noted for its is done by declaring such trees as important aim of the Champion tree remarkable tree heritage. More than protected in terms of the National project. 1,300 indigenous tree and shrub Forests Act, No 84, of 1998. At the end Thomas Packenham who is known species occur here through all climatic of each year trees nominated by the for his book Remarkable Trees of the ranges, from arid to high rainfall areas. public for Champion tree status are World said that a tree, to qualify as a Less well-known is the surprising fact evaluated by a panel of experts. The Champion Tree, should have the that more than a thousand tree and shortlist of trees compiled is then “wow” factor. Reportedly he only shrub species have been introduced published in the Government Gazette included a tree in his book when his from other parts of the world, many of and newspapers for comment, before wife said “wow that tree is big”, or which are closely associated with the their final declaration as protected. No “wow that tree is old”. But how old is history and sense of place of towns, one may cut a declared Champion old, and how big is big? For the cities and rural landscapes. What Tree without a license, and such a Champion tree project we have set would Stellenbosch be without its license might only be issued if a tree various criteria with benchmarks, lanes of English oak (Quercus robur) poses a danger to life or property. which are strictly applied by the trees, or Pretoria without its jacaranda The selection process is very strict, and panel of specialists. Size criteria (Jacaranda mimosifolia) trees? so far only 56 trees and groups of trees include the height, trunk Indigenous trees too, contribute to our throughout the country have been circumference, crown size, and all of sense of place, such as the camel thorn declared from hundreds of these combined through a formula (Acacia erioloba) of the Kalahari region nominations, with another seven trees for overall size. There are also criteria and the stately baobabs (Adansonia recently shortlisted. Many of the trees of age, cultural and landscape value. digitata) of the northern Bushveld. not making the grade as national The human fascination with Champion Trees may still be of local exceptional trees is universal, and Champion Trees – or regional importance, and that is why there are Champion Tree an African Milestone possibilities for a delegated list of local projects or similar programmes in Champion trees are being Worldwide there is a movement many overseas countries. Trees have investigated. The main obstacle to towards protecting remarkable trees, captured the human imagination such a list appears to be the capacity of and as a result more than thirty so- since time immemorial. King Attalus local or regional authorities to monitor called Champion Tree projects were of the ancient kingdom of Pergamum and protect such trees. initiated, mostly in the developed (located in present-day Turkey) had a countries. In this country one can find giant pine tree on Mount Ida some of the largest and oldest trees on The “Wow” Factor measured and recorded more than the African continent, including the Trees capture the imagination of 2000 years ago. That must be the tallest trees in Africa, also claimed to people, who attach certain values to oldest Champion tree on record, for be the tallest planted gum trees in the trees of outstanding size, beauty or we can convert the measurements of world. These are Sydney gum trees historic value. It is these values that that time and know that this tree (Eucalyptus saligna) planted in 1906 on the Champion Tree project embodies. stood about 72 metres tall. the Woodbush Forest Estate near Two centuries ago the writer William Tzaneen. In 2008 professional tree Blake said that “The tree which moves Some Remarkable Trees climbers measured the tallest of these some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others In the time of King Attalus the basic trees at 79 metres, about 26 storeys only a green thing that stands in the science of triangulation to measure high! No wonder then that South way.” With a tongue in the cheek we height already existed, but today Africa initiated the first (and so far the may refer to developers as people that height measurements are made easy only) Champion Tree project on the remove the trees and then name the with a range of height meters, some African continent in 2004. Its aim is to streets after them. Yet in up-market using laser technology. The tallest identify and protect individual and areas developments are now often indigenous trees measured and groups of trees of national planned around mature trees, for these declared to date are Matumi conservation importance. add to the landscape and property (Breonadia salicina) and Outeniqua Many trees of significance have been values. Attitudes are changing, and yellowwood (Podocarpus falcatus) destroyed in the past, and the more people are beginning to trees. A trio of three Matumi trees in Department of Agriculture, Forestry appreciate trees and the role they play the Politisi Valley of Limpopo

16 World of Wood May-June 2011 province, dubbed the “Three Queens” In Auckland Park, Johannesburg, is a (Liriodendron tulipefera) which has now stand about 40 metres tall. In the Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra) of reached massive dimensions. In the Knysna and Tsitsikamma Forests the more recent historic significance. This Magoebaskloof area the eminent Dr. Outeniqua yellowwoods attain similar tree stands close to the site where Hans Merensky and the forestry heights and reach ages of more than 8 Ruth Fischer, daughter of Braam pioneers A.K .Eastwood and A.J. centuries. The most famous of these is Fischer (a prominent founder member O’Connor planted gum trees which all the Tsitsikamma Big Tree which draws of the SA Communist Party) ran a reached heights not surpassed about a hundred thousand visitors per safe house for fugitives of the anywhere else in the country. year. Apartheid security forces. The tree Gauteng has begun to emerge as The largest indigenous tree in South served as landmark for those seeking another concentration of Champion Africa based on overall size index is refuge in this house. trees, with five declared trees and the Sagole baobab in Vendaland, with The tallest trees on the Champion another pending. The Champion tree a trunk circumference of more than 33 Tree list is also dominated by project was initiated when a historic metres. Fifty-five Venda school kids introduced tree species, mostly gum oak tree in Sophiatown was mutilated took hands around the tree during the tree species such as the tallest trees in by a resident, and later died. This site filming of a 50/50 programme on Africa already mentioned. Redwoods has been kept on the list in the hope Champion Trees. Another well-known (Sequoia sempervirens) can also attain that it will eventually be baobab champion is the Platland Tree great heights, and a grove of 90 year memorialized. When Champion Trees near Modjadjiskloof, with a pub on the old trees in Grootvadersbosch Nature die, they are generally de-listed. This inside complete with barstools and Reserve already stands at more than has happened to the second largest counter. 60 metres tall. baobab on a farm near Hoedspuit, Wild fig trees also attain great heights, which collapsed in 2009. In the biggest of which is the Fertile Ground for Champion Trees Bloemfontein a group of cedar trees Wonderboom Fig (Ficus salicifolia) of (Cedrus deodara) planted more than a When looking at a map showing the century ago by eminent persons such Pretoria, with a crown width of 61 Champion tree locations, the most metres. This tree actually consists of a as Lord Alfred Milner had to be striking feature is that two thirds of delisted after the trees died more than mother tree and rings of daughter these trees are concentrated in four trees, which sprouted wherever the a year ago. Experts are still locations. These are the investigating the cause of death, but it branches touched ground. Legend has Magoebaskloof, the KwaZulu-Natal it that the prolific growth of this tree appeared as over-watering might have midlands, the southern Cape and the caused root-rot. can be attributed to a local chief lying Cape Metropolitan area and buried in its shade. surrounds. On closer analysis there An indigenous Milkwood (Sideroxylon appears to be some similarities A Living Programme inerme) tree at the Diaz Museum in between the sites, which may explain To say that South Africa is the prime Mossel Bay, known as the Post Office these concentrations of remarkable spot on the African continent to visit Milkwood Tree, ranks among the top trees. Benign climates, particularly outstanding trees, may not be an trees of historic value in the country. regular rainfall and mist appears to be exaggeration. But it is a vulnerable According to historians Portuguese a common feature shared by the first heritage, which may be eroded if not seafarers left messages in an old shoe three areas, while all of them had the be protected. Trees are fragile, and an under this tree in the sixteenth century additional benefit of tree-planting axe or bulldozer can terminate the for other ships rounding the Cape to pioneers. existence of a giant that grew for the Far East or back. In the Cape Town area Governor centuries at the wink of an eye. Such Most declared Champion trees of Simon van der Stel promoted the was the fate of the Sophiatown oak, historic significance, however, are planting of oak trees in the eighteenth and many trees of national introduced species. In the early century, and in later years tree-loving conservation value before it. The eighteenth century Governor W.A. van pioneers such as John Arderne and Champion Tree project is a living der Stel planted a row of camphor trees his son imported tree seeds and programme, and new trees will be (Cinnamomum camphora) on the planted seedlings in the Arderne added to the list as time goes on. Vergelegen Estate near Cape Town. Gardens. In the midlands of Sadly, some will die and fade from the This stately row of gigantic trees stands KwaZulu-Natal the Scottish list, but that is the inevitable fate that close to the largest and oldest English immigrant John Geekie planted many trees share with humans. oak tree in the country, also planted by trees in the Benvie Arboretum, while van der Stel, with a hollow trunk Joseph Baynes planted trees in the measuring more than 10 metres around 1880s on the now historic Baynesfield at breast height. Estate, including a tulip tree

May-June 2011 World of Wood 17 by Ron DeWitt #6037 SU Roble Blanco Tabebuia heterophylla (DC.) Britt. A Deciduous Hardwood Bignoniaceae – Bignonia or Trumpet-Vine Family Syn. Bignonia pallida Lindl., Bignonia pentaphylla L., and Tabebuia pentaphylla Hemsl.

As with many plants, there have Cuba to Hispaniola, Puerto been numerous name changes by Rico, and Grenada. It is also taxonomists since this tree was first found from southern Mexico identified. Used here is the to Venezuela, Equador, and currently-accepted botanical or Brazil. Although it is not scientific name. native to North America, it The Tabebuia genus comprises over has been planted successfully 100 species of trees and shrubs native in southern Florida and has to the tropical areas of the Americas become naturalized in and Caribbean. They may be “briefly Bermuda. It has been or is deciduous,” deciduous, or evergreen, being cultivated in much of with simple or compound, three- to the rest of the world’s seven-fingered leaves. All have tropics. large, crowded, showy, trumpet- Roble is described as shaped flowers in a variety of colors. worldly, growing well in The flowers are followed by bean- almost any sub-tropical zone like seed pods. of soil or soil conditions. It Derivation of the genus name, thrives in sand, limestone, or Roble blanco tree in flower . Tabebuia, is from words used by the heavy, deep clay soils, acid peoples of Brazil to describe the trees or alkaline, wet or dry, from wet ground. Trees maintain single of this group. The epithet or species lowlands to dry mountainsides. On stems over well-developed root name, heterophylla, is from the preferred sites annual rainfall varies systems, with narrow, irregular Greek—for having leaves of more from 39 to 98 in. (1000 to 2500 mm). column-like crowns, even when than one form. For a bit more of Mean temperatures vary from open-grown. Trees may live to 200 (helpful?) clarification, the species of seasonal lows of 61 degrees F (16 C) years. Tabebuia are divided into four sub- to highs of 88 degrees F (31 C). Twigs and small branchlets are groups: roble, white-cedar, lapacho, Roble does not tolerate frost. It is brown and smooth. Branches and miscellaneous. said to be an aggressive pioneer, spread upward almost from the The roble blanco Tabebuia heterophylla readily adapting to any growing condition. ground. Bark darkens with age may also be called white-cedar, pink becoming silver-gray, then manjack, pink tecoma, trumpet tree, Roble is considered a medium-size furrowed as the tree matures. mayflower, pink trumpet tree, or tree, 40 to 60 ft. (12 to 18 simply roble. Roble is native m) high, occasionally throughout the West Indies, from reaching 90 ft. (27.5 m). Stem diameters are commonly 18 to 24 in. (46 to 61 cm) dbh, sometimes to 36 in. (91 cm) dbh. Stems on some sites are buttressed for 7 to 10 ft. (2.1 to 3 m) above the

Roble blanco flowers. Flowers and five finger leaf.

18 World of Wood May-June 2011 varies from straight to interlocked, occasionally providing interesting figure. This wood is fine-textured and diffuse-porous. Specific gravity is about 0.55 at 12% M.C. and weight is about 38 lb/ft3 (609 kg/m3) at the same M.C., about the same as red maple, Acer rubrum. This wood air-seasons or kiln dries rapidly with little tendency to warp or check. Shrinkage from green to oven dry is relatively low. Roble works and bends quite well, is fair in planing if careful, excellent for drilling, routing, and sanding, good for both turning and carving. It takes and holds fasteners moderately well, glues easily, and finishes well. Unpainted wood develops considerable checking and is only moderately durable when exposed to the weather or in contact with the ground. Overall, roble is classified as tough and strong for its Bean-like seed pods. weight. It has no noticeable taste or Standard specimen of roble odor. blanco Tabebuia heterophyla. Leaves are opposite, palmately Although this species of Tabebuia was compound, usually with three to five suggested as a substitute for unequally-sized leaflets radiating not found to have toxic properties, many species of this genus are listed. ash or oak. Lower quality from a central stem. Leaflets are material goes into boxes, crates, narrow, blade-like, from 2.5 to 6.5 in. As when working closely with any wood, appropriate protection for skin, poles, and posts and is used as (6 to 16 cm) long, bright green, fuel. smooth and leathery. Leaf size, nose, eyes, and throat is advised. shape, and number of leaflets vary Roble, because of its very attractive Unfortunately, roble often considerably with growing flowers and long flowering period, is easily out-competes native and conditions. On very dry sites leaflets popular as a landscaping ornamental other exotic trees, earning it the become singular and rounded. and as a shade or street distinction of being Although classified as deciduous, tree. The flowers also labeled highly invasive leaves are evergreen throughout produce a pleasant and prohibited in many large portions of its range. Leaves honey. Its rapid growth of its naturalized areas. drop just before flowers emerge. in almost any growing Such is the case on the New leaves appear with the first condition makes it useful island of Mauritius and flower flush in spring. in reforestation projects the Pacific areas of Indonesia, Micronesia, The showy display of 3 in. (7.6 cm) as a timber tree and for land stabilization or Samoa, the Solomons, white to light purple trumpet-shaped Hawaii, and others. flowers may be borne in terminal and rehabilitation. In some lateral clusters or individually. The areas it is cultivated as a Except for a fruit is a narrow, dark brown, bean- shade tree for crops such susceptibility to dry- like pod, 3 to 8 in. (8 to 20 cm) long as cacao and coffee. wood termite and and .25 in. (6.5 mm) in diameter In its native areas roble marine borer attack, this (pencil-sized), containing many long lumber is used tree has few natural winged seeds. Seed dispersal is by extensively for flooring, enemies. the wind. furniture, cabinet work, Many of roble’s technical properties interior trim, and boat and its appearance resemble both ash building. It is also used and oak. Sapwood is pale tan, for veneer, tool and heartwood is light brown or golden. sporting goods handles, Growth rings are distinct. Grain millwork, and coffins. In some applications it is 6x transverse view of wood.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 19 Growth Rings: The IWCS Record by Ken Bassett #543.

Book Review When searching for appropriate Live Oaking, Southern Timber for Tall Ships; Virginia Steel Wood; articles for this column in past Northeastern University Press, Boston. issues of the IWCS Bulletin and World of Wood, I am often by Jim Flynn, #3975HL distracted by book reviews since Late one evening we were hanging around the summer shack up at Sawdy I collect books on trees and Pond in Rhode Island and I got to talking about wood collecting and I timbers. happened to mention how I came about a piece of live oak, Quercus Most of the reviews are short, virginiana. My nephew John and his wife Catherine (a Novia Scotia gal) what I would call basic and not reacted immediately as live oak was the subject of a clog dancer’s ditty and suitable for reprinting. Recently, they both knew it well, being practitioners of this form of art. however, one caught my eye. It There are lots of verses to the song which is known as “Pounding Live Oak”, is quite a bit more than basic and and here goes number 7: definitely worthy of reprinting. “Pounding live oak is nothing like fun, It is was written by our prolific Especially the dry ones will make the sweat run; contributor, Jim Flynn, who It will make your axes glitter and smoke, always seems to write a good You’ll need iron handles to pound this live oak, story. Derry down, down, down, Derry down, down, down.” The review is of the book Live Now I was interested in this story, as a true wood collector would be. Johnny Oaking, Southern Timber for Tall had a recording of the song on a disc “The Boarding Party, Fair Winds and a Ships. In today’s world live oak Following Sea; Folk-Legacy Records FSI-109. With Johnny and Catherine’s (Quercus virginiana) is known as a help I dug deeper into the story and found the title of the book referenced in particularly beautiful shade tree the heading of this report. Now to get a copy of the book. across the gulf coast states. That Back home in Virginia our local library did not have a copy nor did they was not always the case. Its have any record of it being available in any other Country libraries. I have a importance to shipbuilding in the hunch that Mary got the Vienna librarian’s interest in the subject tweaked up age of wooden ships was huge. a bit and they started a search for the book in other State libraries. A copy It provided our early navy with was found at the Randolph-Macon College, outside Richmond. A good place superior materials often giving for it even though it was a bit outside the normal range of this species the the resulting ships an advantage Quercus. The book was in mint condition as it had never been opened. But over their British foe. The book let me tell you, my fellow wood collectors, this book is a tale of wood which I also have in my library collecting with vigour and purpose. The first thing I looked for were the offers a very readable history verses of the sea chanty (and I hope that I am calling it a chanty correctly) about a formerly important “Pounding Live Oak”. They were there and what a story it told! industry and an interesting The author, Virginia Steel Wood, became interested in the live oak story as American wood. I too can an incidental by-product of some research she was doing in coastal Georgia. wholeheartedly recommend it. It She was investigating the early influences of Ne England merchants in the appears that the book is readily development of that part of the south. It appeared strange to her that she available on the used book could find old-timers in places like Ne Bedford, Massachusetts who heard market for about $30. tell of live oak parties going south for the winter to gather the wood but, on This review was first published the other hand, could find no one in the south who had recollections or in the May, 1990 World of Wood heard tales of these expeditions. Small wonder as these New England boys operated mostly in the offshore islands and in the wilderness on their own. As the author dug deeper into the records and uncovered volumes of data on Ken Bassett the subject she realised that it was a neglected study and that she was only #543 hitting the surface with her literary explorations. The subject remains so to this day. At any rate, during and after the Revolutionary War we had a real need to embark upon a naval shipbuilding program to protect our sea lanes and merchant ships. Northern shipbuilders knew the unbeatable merits of live oak timbers such as knees and ribs, for the major structural parts of these wooden ships they were commissioned to build. This tough stuff didn’t grow up north though. They had to organize or contract with others, expeditions to the south during the winter months to get this material.

20 World of Wood May-June 2011 This was big business. For example, frigate The author does a magnificent job describing the live Constitution required 23,000 cubic feet of timber for the oak camps and the men who manned them. She cites a frames alone . . . approximately 460 trees! The vessel’s list of references knee-deep which are begging for a plans were drawn out on earthen floors of building more scholarly investigation and the piecing together of sheds and patterns (which were then called “moulds”) a more colorful and richer portrait of this wood for the timbers to be fabricated of live oak were sent collectors story. along with the cutting crews. The big name in the Oh yes, I began this story by attempting to tell the tale business was the Swift Brothers out of Falmouth, of how I acquired my sample piece of Quercus Massachusetts. They get more than a cursory mention virginiana. May as well finish it off. Several years ago in the sea chanty. Mary and I were attending an Annual Convention of The live oak camps were set up near the coastal areas the Balalaika and Dorma Association of America at Rice where deep water could be found to load the cut and University in Houston, Texas. This campus is covered shaped timbers. Whole “saw logs as we call them with well-cared for and groomed live oaks. In my could be taken and loaded aboard ship because of spare time I sought out the grounds keeper and made their weight and the problem of crossing the beach enquiry about acquiring a piece of live oak that may line. So all the timbers have to be cut and shaped have been taken from a storm damaged tree. No dice, according to the patterns as a means of reducing size there was none around. I kept talking with him and and weight and, to a significant extent, to hack away explained the International Wood Collectors Society to at the wood when it was wet. A lot of this wood was him and I could see that he was interested. He then kept in the water until ready for shipment and great remembered a tree that had been trimmed and the pains taken to prevent it from drying too fast and wood was placed on the wood pile of the President of checking. As an added tid-bit the Navy used the last the University for use in his fireplace. He said that he of its hoard of live oak in the rebuilding of Constitution would look around and see if he could find a piece for in 1927-31. The timbers were stored underwater at the me. I gave him one of my cards and told him where I Pensacola Naval Station since before the Civil War. could be found if he was successful. Low and behold , a It is hard to imagine in this day and age the hard few hours later a worker walked into a posh, carpeted work that went into cutting and shaping this wood conference room with a large, grubby piece of firewood with the primary tool being a variety of axes. I’m and asked where he could locate Jim Flynn. I wasn’t looking at a piece of this wood at the moment and there at the time so the folks there told the agent to Lord.. . it is hard as nails and heavy. The ribs on some place the wood in the corner for me and the Executive of our older frigates were spaced one and one-half Director was heard to say “What the ‘beep’ is Jim Flynn inches apart. Wow! No wonder Constitution was up to now” This wasn’t just a piece of grubby old called ‘”Old Ironsides”. firewood. . . it was a real piece of live oak!

A Guide to More Useful Woods of the World A Guide to Useful Woods of the World Edited by James H. Flynn, Jr. Edited by James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder The book includes 71 additional Published in 2001, the first printing sold wood data sheets (WDS) bringing out! Reprinted in 2007, here’s your the total of published WDSs to chance to have a copy of the definitive 350, PLUS two comprehensive statement on 279 woods of the world. indexes. It also contains fourteen The description for each wood includes: articles from highly respected scientific and family names, common professionals in wood-related names, distribution, the tree, the timber, matters: Richard Crow, Alan B. seasoning, durability, workability, uses, Curtis, Mihaly Czako, Eugene and supplies, along with a line drawing, Dimitriadis, Robert Goldsack, a photomicrograph, and a color Ernie Ives, Siegfried Klotsche, and photograph of the wood. Also included Regis Miller. are common name, scientific name, and A Guide to More Useful Woods of the family name indexes and 3 appendices. World was launched at the 2007. This is a second edition, softcover, 640 Softcover, 376 pages. $29.95 plus pages. $39.95 plus postage for members. postage to members.

These publications are marketeted on behalf of IWCS and are available through: Forest Products Society, 2801 Marshall Court Madison, Wl 53705-2395 Phone: 608-231-1361 ext. 202 Fax: 608-231-2152

May-June 2011 World of Wood 21 Shrubwoods of the World

Allspice by Nelis Mourik #7460L

The leaves, flowers and bark of allspice weight. Stems available are sweet and pleasant scented, even were never over 5 cm across. when working on the seasoned wood. Growth rings are only Other features are a zig-zag vessel slightly visible to the naked arrangement, and four woody bundles eye. On a rough cross in the bark. section the earlywood zone A member of the Calycanthaceae family, is only little darker than the which has four genera. Allspice is latewood. Using a handlens native to south east USA, and has one and a clear cut endgrain the other species Calycanthus occidentalis wood shows (semi-) ring Hook. & Art. (California allspice, porosity. There is a higher native to SW-USA). Other common concentration of vessels in Longitudinal surface of a glued up names are Carolina allspice and the earlywood, as well as wider Calycanthus floridus and woody branch. sweet-shrub. Older books show more diameters (50 μm) as there is in the species, all of which became variaties. latewood (down to 15 μm). More Allspice wood is moderately hard The closely related genus Chimonanthus distinct feature here is the flame-like, and light weight (specific gravity consists of six species, native to China. or rather oblique arrangement of the 450-500 kg/m3 airdry), it is moderately fine to fine textured and Carolina allspice, who’s wood is vessels groupings in the latewood, straight grained. It seasons easily shown here, is a dense, bushy, regularly changing in direction, as is with little risk of cracking if end deciduous shrub, up to 2 m high, with clearly visible on a smooth sanded sealed, even when not cut over the opposite, dark glossy green, aromatic endgrain. pith. It works easily with all kinds of leaves, downy beneath. It flowers over Parenchyma is very scanty, tools, while it spreads a nice smell a long period from late spring to early paratracheal, consisting of only a few when cutting, planing or sanding fall. Flowers are brownish-red, with cells around the vessels. Rays are through the bark. It is a little brittle. numerous petals, about 5 cm in small and almost all lower than 0.5 It glues well. The wood looks not diameter, sweet scented, followed by mm, 1 to 2 to occasionally 3 cells wide, durable, although no fungi nor large, capsule-like, dry fruits. except for a few. In the wider rays the woodworms ever affected it when The genus Calycanthus is derived from ray bodies consist of procumbant to square cells, the uniseriate rays and drying, possibly due to the fragrant the Greek kalux = calyx and anthos = bark only. flower, alluding to the fact there is no tails consist of square to upright cells Because of its small dimensions and clear transition between calyx and only. Two other important features in no figure the wood is not used. The flower. The calyx is large and Allspice wood are found in its bark: 4 shrub is sometimes planted for its conspicuous, and apparently part of narrow woody strands are running long lasting, sweet scented the flower. The specific epithet floridus longitudinally through the bark of o flowering. means free or abundantly flowering, young stems on about a 90 distance, occidentalis means western. visible on the outer side as narrow thickenings, visible in cross section as Allspice wood is light brown and light an almost white spot in the dark brown bark tissue. The strands have their own cambium (growth layer), but inversely oriented: they form wood and bark tissue to the inner sides. The bark also has a very pleasant, eucalypt-peppermint-like odour. The wood itself has no specific odour.

10 x magnification of Calycanthus Disc of Calycanthus floridus wood of floridus wood, bark and bark about 5 cm across. Note the four strands strand endgrain. in the bark. 22 World of Wood May-June 2011 Shrubwoods of the World

by Nelis Mourik #7460L. Mahonia

A genus, closely allied to barberry, 1775, who settled in Philadelphia, heaving the same colored bright Pennsilvania (1796- 1816). He was a yellow wood, but in contrast to that good horticulturist, and author of ‘The genus mean spiny leaves and spineless American Gardener’s Calendar’(1807). stems. The specific epithet aquifolium is the Mahonia is also the Latin genus name, classical name for Holly, from the Latin a genus comprising of 70-100 species acus = needle and folium = leave. The native to Asia from the Himalayan specific epithet japonica means ‘from mountains to Japan and Sumatra, and Japan’. north- and central-America. A well- The wood of mahonia is bright yellow. known species to most Americans and Exposure to sunlight however will Europeans is Mahonia aquifolium quickly turn the surface to a light Longitudinal surface of a glued up (pursh) nutt., the Oregon grape, native brown. Unfortunately it also easily Mahonia japonica wood specimen. to NW.-North-America and stains to brown if left wet for too long. naturalized in Europe, where it is It has quite a wide, soft pith. The wood sealing the ends is necessary. The called mahonia. Two other quite well- often shows thick, triangular, corky wood dries slowly. It is good to known species, especially to bark ribs, an important feature for season it for a couple years, the final horticulturists and gardeners, are M. mahonia. Stems over 5 cm across are drying to be done indoor at room japonica (Thunb.) DC. from China, long rare in cultivation. temperature. cultivated in Japan, and M. x media The wood differs not much or none to The wood is not easy to work, C.D.Brickell, a hybrid between M. that of barberry. Growth rings are especially not by hand. When japonica and M. lomariifolia. The family visible to the nacked eye, because the machining sharp edges are a must. is the Berberidaceae. wood forms a (discontinuous) ring of When quarter cut it shows its Mahonias are all evergreen shrubs, vessels at the beginning of each ring. conspicuous rays. It can be glued often with quite sturdy, brenchless Vessels are very small, 25 - 50 μm in well, and sanded and polished to a stems. M. aquifolium is up to 1.8 m diameter. Within the growth ring very smooth surface. It is of a high, although quite often half so, vessels tend to form groups in oblique medium to low durability. leaves are compound, consisting of 5-9 to radial, or dendritic alignment, the The use of this wood is equal to that pinnate, almost stalkless leaflets, set on groups on their turn tending to form an of barberry: it can be used in inlay the upper half of the stem. Flowers are apparently zig-zag oriented pattern. work, and in small turnings and golden yellow, fruits are almost black However, this is not always as clearly carvings. berries. M. japonica has a very stiff, the case. Parenchyma is very rare to sturdy, erect habit, bearing a round absent. Rays are wide and high, Editors note: Botanists have crown of 30-45 cm long compound sometimes even over 5 mm, clearly dissagreed for some time on the 70 leaves around the top, each consisting visible on the radial surface, containing species in the genus Mahonia, and it of 7-13 hard, stiff, deep green, spine- numerous cristals, an important appears that GRINN has now armed leaflets. Flowers are yellow, difference to barberry wood on reclassified them in the genus fruits are purple berries. microscopic level. Berberis. The genus name Mahonia is in honor of Mahonia wood is quite hard, dense, Bernard MacMahon, born in Ireland in and quite heavy (specific gravity 800 kg/m3 airdry). It is fine textured and straight to little wavy grained. It looks like there is less tendency to split when drying than barberry wood. Smaller diameters usually dry without ‘cracking open’, even after planing or cutting the bark off on two sides. Nevertheless over about 2 cm across will split, so cutting along the pith is necessary for the thicker stems. Also

10 x magnification of Mahonia Disc of Mahonia japonica about 4 cm japonica wood endgrain. across, showing the typical bark ribs.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 23 A Wood Microtomist’s Life by Ernie Ives #3345L

“Well you’re a microscopist so you can arranged, I abhorred the scrappy From my earliest attempts at wood make slides like these.” Cyril Pilcher, a looking wood section slides I’d seen. sectioning, once I found a wood past president of the IWCS, handed They showed the detail in the three that cut reasonably easily, I was me a box of microslides when I’d cutting planes but many looked as if tempted to wind the handle a few suggested there was no way I could they’d been torn off the block and I more times just to see the sections amass and store 3,000 standard wood wanted neat, rectangular sections slide neatly on the microtome knife samples like I’d seen at his home. compactly arranged—generally and, of course, made these into Little did I realise that over 20 years under a 22 x 22 mm coverglass—and slides for sale. I quickly found a later, I would still be cutting wood came up with what is now my niche market. Currently there are sections and still learning new and standard arrangement that gives 32 subscribers, wood collectors and different techniques. prominence to the transverse microscopists, who get four boxes of 24 slides a year. Over runs of I quickly found it wasn’t as easy as I section. Branchwood and burr (burl) slides are sold at microscopy anticipated. My rocking microtome— sections are arranged slightly meetings and at a calculated guess, fine for botanical sections—was differently. I have now produced in excess of totally unsuited for wood except for 70,000 wood slides and have nearly the most amenable ones and in the 2,200 slides of different woods in days prior to my having Internet my own collection. These are access, my researches found little housed, filing card-wise published information on the subject. alphabetically under family and The information I found stated that genera so a slide can easily be rather dangerous chemicals were found. I know most members store required. However, in 1990 I could their samples under genera but still order them from my local storing them by family, keeps chemist whereas now I need a related genera together. laboratory address and if I order them online, I’d likely be the subject As all IWCS members know, woods of an investigation by the terrorist vary enormously in density, the branch. arrangement of the vessels and A friend loaned me a small sledge straightness or interlocking of the microtome that enabled me to cut a grain, therefore the techniques for wider variety of wood and cutting very thin sections differ encouraged me to continue and to widely too and no one technique look for one of my own. In 1996, I will cover everything. Soft woods bought the huge Junk K made in may need embedding in wax or Heidelberg in 1928 and still in PEG, many medium density woods regular use. I adapted it to take a 250 cut without any processing but mm long microtome knife and all my harder ones need softening in How long I can keep going may wood sectioning is done with it. ethylenediamine for several days or depend on IWCS members. I need to replenish my supply of samples Being a microscopist and making by boiling in 10% glycerine for eight or more hours. Experience helps to and hope that members who do not insect slides where I try to get all the throw away their offcuts can help. I parts neatly and symmetrically make the right choice but even then the results are not always only need small pieces with a predictable which is why minimum end grain size of 25 x 13 I’m still learning. mm and a length of 13 mm (1 x ½ x Nowadays I can cut most ½ inches) or if it is of branch or of the woods I receive shrub wood, 25 mm diam x 20 long unless they have (1 x ¾ inches). The end piece you structural faults; shakes, trim off a standard sample, is fine. rot, etc., but always some If you can help, please contact me provide a challenge to my to see the list of woods I’ve already skills and judgement and cut and avoid duplication. a few are put aside as ‘uncuttable’ – as yet.

My Junk K.

24 World of Wood May-June 2011 The Sapwood-heartwood Transition By Ian McLaughlin

As wood collectors, we usually have Parenchyma cells are thin walled, most interest in the heartwood, as and make up all the tissue of rays, this is commonly available, and it’s and in many woods make up some the ‘real’ wood anyway. In the part of the axial wood structure. heartwood we see a species in all its Sapwood cells have a nucleus and glory, or sometimes, lack of it. By protoplasm, contain and transport ‘lack of it’ I mean — many species sap, mostly water, in which are have a heartwood colour and texture dissolved minerals, and substances which can be embraced in the phrase necessary for the health and growth ‘light brown, medium texture’ — not of the plant, and on the outer fringe Wood of tulipwood, (Harpullia pendula). very interesting. This article is more is the active cambium by which the about species having distinctly plant grows in girth. different coloured heartwood c.f. Frequently but not always, the transition zone is about 4mm wide, sapwood – and they are interesting. parenchyma cells contain starch and has its own colour. We should be interested in the grains, and dissolved tannins. When The transition zone in Photo 2, sapwood, because it is that part of a nucleus, starch grains and tulipwood (Harpullia pendula), and in the tree which, with metabolic dissolved tannin are present in a cell, Photo 3, black bean (Castanospermum changes, becomes the heartwood. it is definitely in the sapwood, but australe), is so narrow as to be not This phenomenon was studied back the key ingredient is the nucleus. discernable. in the 1950’s by Dr. Mary Margaret Chattaway, PhD. By contrast, the parenchyma cells of Whereas nearly all trees develop the heartwood do not contain any heartwood though the above process Margaret Chattaway worked as a nucleus or protoplasm or starch there are a few which do not. They wood anatomist at the CSIRO’S grains, and the tannins have changed have been called ‘sapwood trees’. Division of Forest Products in to a less soluble form. Chattaway Chattaway cites two in this category Melbourne in the 1940’s and 1950’s, concluded that there was a transition – the Illawarra flame tree in collaboration with Dr. H. Eric from sapwood to heartwood in a (Brachychiton acerifolius), and white Dadswell and others. She was the zone sometimes very narrow, and cheesewood (Alstonia scolaris). It author of a paper, The Sapwood- other cases broad, when the starch would be interesting to know of Heartwood Transition, which was grains were absorbed, the nucleus others. printed in the journal Australian died and the tannins were changed Forestry, Vol XVI, No.1, 1952. She So, when I select a specimen for my and often spread through all other studied many hundreds of collection, I prefer to choose a piece cells in the heartwood. It is the microscope slides of wood sections which has some sapwood in it, even deposition of tannins and other taken from selected trees, searching if there is want in size. And maybe, substances, so-called ‘extractives’ like for clues as to the difference between those species which have ordinary- kino, which gives the heartwood its sapwood and heartwood, and the looking heartwood could be more darker colour and makes it more method of transition from the former interesting when their sapwood is durable. It is in that transition zone to the latter. The broad distinction there for comparison. where those changed take place. between the two types is that: • sapwood cells (vessels, The accompanying photos are of parenchyma and fibres) are living, species having a sharply defined • whereas heartwood cells (the boundary between sapwood and same) are dead—and that heartwood, compared with other probably comes as no surprise. species where the transition zone may be many centimetres wide, with a very gradual change in colour. I speculate that the character of the transition zone would have a lot to do with the vigour of the tree and the climate in which it grows. Photo 1 is of the wood of the Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum), where the

Wood of black bean, Wood of the Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum). (Castanospermum australe)

May-June 2011 World of Wood 25 Member’s Listings and Requests Members with wood specimens for sale

26 World of Wood May-June 2011 Book Review

Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects material available at Great Looking Furniture Anyone Can Build any home center; by Spike Carlsen with photography by Bill Zuehlke can be built by Publication Date:April 2011. $19.95 ($21.95 Canada) anyone with basic Trade Paperback 8½” x 11" 122 pages carpentry skills; and ISBN 978-1-610350-04-4 Home Improvement / help beginning Woodworking. BISAC HOM018000/CRA042000 woodworkers gain Color photographs, diagrams. competency in using tools and handling materials. Readers Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects: will also get something intangible: the Great Looking Furniture presents 38 satisfaction of building something easy do-it-yourself furniture projects beautiful, long-lasting and authentic that anyone can use without with one’s own hands. spending a fortune. It combines Even if you’ve never built anything simplicity of construction with before, you can complete your own tasteful design. ridiculously simple furniture project— From obviously simple projects like a and experience a new sense of pride, and Men’s Health magazines. He one-piece wine rack to deceptively savings and style. is also the author of A Splintered complex-looking projects like an Audience: Male and female do-it- History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, entertainment console, it shows how yourselfers, homemakers, young Blind Woodworkers and Baseball even the rawest beginner can build couples, home improvement readers, Bats, selected as an NPR Best fantastic looking furniture. The style-on-a-budget readers, simple-life Book of the Year. book’s step-by-step instructions, readers, minimalists, modernists, illustrated with extensive color hipsters and cheapskates. photographs and diagrams, are Linden Publishing Spike Carlsen has been involved in the incredibly easy to follow, and 2006 S. Mary St. additional tips on techniques, tools world of woodworking for over 30 Fresno CA 93721 and materials help build skills for years. He is the former executive more ambitious projects. editor of The Family Handyman (800) 345-4447 magazine and is a regular contributor The projects can often be built in two Fax (559) 233-6933 to American Woodworker, Fresh Home to four hours; use inexpensive Letters to the Editor Following is a list of corrections for mistakes that native willow; it is also called “desert appear in the Jan/Feb issue of World of Wood. willow” in GRIN.(Editors note: there have been recent Following are the corrections for pages 26-27 —each changes made to this species.) underlined. Page 20:- Acacia melanoxylon = blackwood not backwood Wood 23 - Cupressus lusitanica Page 21:- Eucalyptus delagatensis sub sp tasmaniensis . Wood 24 - Monterey cypress Wood 27 - “ I have never been able to try it in a Editors reply: woodworking job” I think he means. As Editor of World of Wood, I sincerely appologise to IWCS Wood 31 - Eriobotrya japonica membership for my lack of attention to detail in the Wood 35 - Grevillea banksii publication of this issue. Wood 39 - Leptospermum laevigatum Wood 41 - Ligustrum lucidum In particular, however, I wish to appologise to my Wood 42 - Liquidambar styraciflua = liquidambar aka longtime friend, Keith Hall, the author of the article on sweet gum pages 26-27, for not having given his important Wood 44 - Lophostemon confertus contribution the quality time he deserves. These mistakes Wood 50 - Think he means 18" not 18' were mostly of my doing in the preparation of his article, Wood 52 - Olea europaea and I feel I did not give proper regard to his contribution. Wood 54 - Pittosporum angustifolium - but this I appologise sincerely. appears to be “poisonberry” in GRIN and Morris Lake, Editor. your book has Pittosporum phillyreoides as

May-June 2011 World of Wood 27 Australian Woods No 27 by MorrisLake #7634 Allocasuarina inophloia hairy oak Derivation: Allocasuarina from the Greek allo (other) and the Latin casuarinus (Cassowary) in that the branchlets resemble the feathers of cassowaries. Inophloia is a reference by F, M, Bailey, colonial botanist, to its thready bark. Family: Casuarinaceae, which superficially resemble conifers with wire-like foliage and cones, from which they are descendants. The genus Casuarina has recently been split into Allocasuarina and Casuarina, to include the other casuarinas. Other names: Hairy oak is also known as flame oak, and flame sheoak which are references to the timber figuring. Also woolly oak and stringybark oak, which are references to its bark. In fact, most things about this tree are hairy and present difficulties. The hairy leaves placed it into the casuarina family for some time, and the bark has some resemblance to marsupial fur as well as the feathers of the cassowary. Distribution: It is found mostly in central western Queensland from the New South Wales border to around Rockhampton. The tree has a wide distribution and is found in small patches usually on sandy ridges often in association with budgeroo (Lysicarpus augustifolius), Pilliga grey box (E. pilligaensis) white cypress pine (Callitris glauca) and ironbark (E. crebra). It is found mostly in association with poor sandy soils. The tree: It is a medium sized tree to about 15 metres, but rarely produces a straight trunk. The base of the trunk in older trees is commonly buttressed therefore making it difficult to obtain large dimension timber. The bark is stringy and fibrous with the medullary rays A group of medium-sized trees around Chinchilla. protruding through the bark ending in razor-sharp protrusions. Care should therefore be taken not to rub against a fallen log or branch as this is likely to result in severe lacerations. The bark peels away easily from the stem leaving the protruding medullary rays exposed. The green cylindrical branchlets, closely resemble the foliage of casuarina, of which it was once a family member, and upright appearance gives a whispy foliage effect. The tiny leaves form small whorls wrapped around the nodes along each branchlet.

The green cylindrical branchlets which resemble casuarina with The hairy bark. minute scales for leaves at the nodes..

28 World of Wood May-June 2011 Wood of Allocasuarina inophloia This wood is considered by many to be one of the most distinctive Australian timbers. The sapwood is light-brown, and the hardwood is a deep red-brown, laced with the chocolate coloured rays which are prominent and produce an exciting ‘oak’ figure when quarter cut. It is a very hard wood with an air dry density at 12% moisture of 945 kg/m3 , but it has been reported as high as 1011 kg/m3. It has never been listed as a wood of any commercial value and has really been an undiscovered species until wood turners found it and made it popular. It was never capable of being obtained in big quantities, and you have to be satisfied with straight timber in metre or less lengths. This is one of An untreated hairy oak specimen. the hardest timbers for working however its beauty is very hard to surpass. It is very prone to splitting, particularly in the round, when it will split along the rays. End sealing is very important. There are big losses in milling due to splitting and for this reason it is not often found in commercial use. It finishes well and the patterns created by the variability in the presentation of the medullary rays adds great contrast. Hairy oak logs are dangerous to harvest. As mentioned earlier, the medullary rays protrude into, and sometimes through, the fibrous bark and are razer sharp. Because they run parallel with the trunk, and are invisible to the eye, any rushed or exaggerated contact with the outer This platter has an interesting story attached to it. On a western trip some part of the log is likely to result in cuts to the years ago, we dropped in at our favourite spot for a mid-morning cup of tea flesh. One IWCS member received in Chinchilla, at a place where the locals also sell some of their handicraft, lacerations to his shin which required a and there I spotted this delightful 36 cm hairy oak platter. It’s the largest dozen stitches while collecting timber in single piece of hairy oak that I had ever seen and is a very deep colour— knee-length grass as he grazed a hidden log. obviously from a mature tree, and no sigh of sapwood. However when I turned it on its edge, the grain revealed that the centre of the tree stem is off to one side and it is a continuous piece. It was turned by T. Bruggemann of Chinchilla, and I can only say, thank you T. Bruggermann, for this most wonderful example of the beauty of hairy oak. I must assume that the platter was turned from a buttress wing of a very ancient tree. It is one of my very prized pieces of natural history. It was also a very nice cup of tea.

This turned piece of fruit—possibly representing a fig—incorporates some sapwood as well as heartwood, and it really highlights the beauty of the very pronounced medullary ray. I still remember my first overseas International IWCS meeting in Calgary where I donated quite a few specimens. The hairy oak specimen, which was slightly bigger than standard size auctioned for $70. I was so surprised, I didn’t note down who purchased it.

May-June 2011 World of Wood 29 Regis-tree New members of the International Wood Collectors Society

Members names removed

Key to Members’ Interests 1 Wood collecting- casual or serious interest in acquiring wood specimens; interested in field collecting; interested in collecting crafted wood items; other. 2 Wood/wood technology - dendrology; study of trees; timber research; wood identification; wood anatomy; microtomy; other. 3 Wood supplier - willing to trade or supply wood for specimens or craft purposes. 4 Woodworking projects - boxes; canes; games; toys; puzzles; clocks; jewellery; craft items; models; miniatures; musical instruments; furniture; cabinetry; other. 5 Woodworking techniques - carving, marquetry; intarsia; pyrography; spindle or bowl turning; ornamental turning; other. 6 Other wood, wood crafting, or wood related interests. 7 Teaching, writing, instruction - would write articles for IWCS or demonstrate/present at IWCS meetings; other.

30 World of Wood May-June 2011 Wood Meets

IWCS Annual Meeting 24-28 August, 2011 Quality Inn, Crawfordsville, Indiana

Hey woodies wake up !winter is over its almost military vehicles in the country. Everthing from time for the annual meeting. Contest time, We self propelled -155mm used in Desert Storm, would like you to make a bird house or feeder World War I tank, plus a wide variety of jeeps, and bring it to the meeting. Located in the tanks, plans, cars and boats. Just a lot of history. middle of the hardwood forests of America. Come enjoy the Hoosier Hospitality. Many kinds of wood will be available for sale at Bob Chastain the wood auction. Line up for a trip to the Registration form below. Ropkey Armor Museum. It is one of the largest privately owned collections of U.S. tactical

Registration Form IWCS Annual Meeting, Crawfordsville, Indiana 24-28 August , 2011 Name: ...... IWCS #...... Spouse/Guest: ...... Address: ...... City:: ...... State: ...... Zip: ...... Telephone : ...... E-mail: ...... Registration Fee $35 per person $ ...... Entertainment(2 nights) and Banquet $25 per person $ ...... One Day fee $15 per person $ ...... Total enclosed $ ...... I have the following health/food concerns ...... All meals except the Saturday night Banquet will be on your own. Good restaurant in the motel. YOU must make your room reservation by calling Quality Inn, 765-362-8700. Reservations for room must be made by JULY 1. For you campers, there is a KOA within a mile of the motel 765-362-4190.

Tours on offer on Thursday include: • Ropkey Armor Museum • Old Jail Museum (rotary jail cell) • General Lew Wallace Museum • Henry S. Lane Mansion • Antique Mall • Linden Railroad Museum.

Registrations must be sent by July 1, 2011 Send to: Mrs Marilyn Nunan

May-June 2011 World of Wood 31 Book review by Paul van Rijckevorsel #8060

Trees of tropical Asia: An illustrated guide to way of naming trees and diversity. Author James V. LaFrankie Jr., 748 moves on to survey 157 pp., illustrated (color), 2010. Black Tree families and 887 genera Publications www.blacktreepublications.com, with mention of 2,500 Bacnotan, Philippines. ISBN: 978-971-94794-0- species. Description of 6 Price: US $149 (paperback), Australia $280. vegetative and floral form with notes on field I am not sure about this one. In many recognition, ecology and economic ways this is an admirable book, but use included. Indexes to names in still it makes me uneasy. Nor am I Latin, Malay, Filipino, Vietnamese alone in this respect; the author and Thai. Illustrated with more than neatly summarizes my problems in 3,000 relevant colour photographs his Preface: “The objections to this and drawings. volume are obvious and many.” And The author is clearly very ambitious, indeed this is so. very knowledgeable and very On the one hand, this might be thorough and has produced a book described as an overgrown Field that appears to have very few errors Guide, overweight, overpriced, with —the worst are the pictures of wood, oversized pages, overly ambitious as which are very uninformative, even to area of coverage—leading to a of woods that are very characteristic lack of focus and shortage of detail. when photographed from the correct that even with reading glasses is It is printed in too small a font, with angle. And clearly, he was faced not all that easy to read, and still is smallish pictures that are jammed with the problem of how to put all actually too heavy for me to hold together or on top of each other. the information at his disposal into a with one hand. I would be happier to have this information — On the other hand it might be single volume; and made some quite expanded with more detail— in, described as a wonderfully complete intelligent choices. say, three volumes, with a larger —with invaluable field notes, It will vary from user to user how page-size. amazingly up to date —with the well the book suits them. Somebody latest insights of plant systematics— in tropical Asia who has to carry the But for anybody who has anything well beyond APG II—overview of book in the glove compartment of like a genuine need for this the genera of trees —in the wide his car may well be extremely information the book certainly sense of the word, of tropical Asia — grateful to have all this information offers value for money. west of Wallace’s line— with a well- —there is even an illustrated entry PS: the publishers let it be known balanced layout, printed on beautiful for my old acquaintance Champereia, that they are considering the glossy paper, in splendid full color, hardly a well-known tree— in one production of a hard-cover coffee- and all in one handy volume. It not-too-big book. However, for me table edition, 50% larger in size. includes an introduction to sitting in a reasonably comfortable phylogenetic theory and the modern chair it is irritating to have a book

International Wood Collectors Society NON-PROFIT c/o Bill & Myrt Cockrell ORGANISATION 2300 West Rangeline Road U.S. Postage PAID Greencastle, IN 46123-7875 Greencastle, IN Permit No. 24

32 World of Wood May-June 2011