What is myrtlewood lumber?

MYRTLE WOOD Myrtle is a treasure from the coastal forests of the American Northwest. It has a cream colored sapwood transitioning into heartwood that can range from tan to olive to gold, often with black steaks following the grain. The most desired pieces can be covered with fiddleback and/or burl figure.

How hard is Myrtlewood?

Otherwise, the wood is fairly stable. Myrtle is considerably weaker than oak. The strength (MOR) of myrtle is 8000 psi, the stiffness (MOE) is 0.95 million psi, and hardness is 1270 pounds.

What is special about Myrtle Wood?

Myrtle wood is renowned throughout the Pacific Northwest for its excellent machining and finishing properties as well as its beautiful color, spicy aroma, and figure. Also known as Bay Laurel, California Olive, Pepper wood, or Spice tree, this versatile hardwood grows only in Oregon and Northernmost California.

What is myrtlewood used for?

Native Americans used Umbellularia as a medicine to treat various aliments, from headaches and menstrual cramps, to washing vermin from the head. Seeds were eaten roasted or raw. One group used the smoke to drive ground squirrels from their burrows, and to rid themselves of fleas.

How do I know myrtlewood?

Walk around the tree and look for a spreading shrubby tree with multiple trunks. The bark is greenish to reddish brown. Inspect the leaves; myrtlewood produces glossy leaves that are narrow and pointed and remain on the tree all year long.

Is Myrtle Wood rare?

Because this timber is both rare and stunningly beautiful, it is used only rarely in the construction of acoustic guitars. Typically, instruments created using myrtlewood are expensive “one-offs,” built to order.

How do I know Myrtlewood?

Is Myrtlewood rare?

Where is Myrtlewood from?

Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. The Umpqua River watershed appears to be the northern boundary of its native habitat.

What does myrtlewood sound like?

Generally, these guitars all exhibited a warm, somewhat dry sound, with a rounded tone. I wouldn’t say Myrtlewood colors the tone much, and in that way it’s like maple. But contrary to most maple guitars, it seems to have this subdued/rounded tone that is clear but not sharp or striking. It’s a beautiful wood.

What does myrtlewood smell like?

Crush and smell a leaf to see if it has myrtlewood’s strong, peppery aroma of bay leaves. Sniff the bark of the tree; sometimes myrtlewood bark is also fragrant.

Which is the best grade of Myrtlewood lumber?

It is a strong, dense wood prized for its wide array of colors and figure common to the specie. Our Select & Better Grade is the clearest board or graded for a minimum of 84% clear face cuttings. This grade will have the least amount of color and knots.

What are the different colors of Myrtle Wood?

The wood of the myrtle is exceptionally dense and fine-grained. Its color is not found in any other wood, ranging from light tan to deep golden brown, from shades of gray to black, sometimes with hints of red, blue and green. No other hardwood can match the beauty of Myrtlewood grain or its variety of colors.

Where does Myrtlewood grow in the United States?

COLOR DETAILS : Varies creamy white to light tan sapwood. Brown-Gray-Olive color palette can be found in the heartwood. WORKABILITY : Works well and finishes to a high polish. Myrtlewood grows in the Pacific coast region of southern Oregon and areas south throughout the coastal ranges of California.

What are the uses for Myrtlewood leaves in furniture?

One popular use for the leaves is to put them between the bed mattresses to get rid of, or prevent, flea infestations. The wood is used as lumber in furniture making, especially highly figured specimens. “Myrtlewood” money “Myrtlewood” is the only wood still in use as a base “metal” for legal tender.