I am often asked what wood is used to make a particular item. All the wood I use is ethically sourced in Ireland. Spalted* beech is particularly attractive and popular so I tend to use this a lot; for most turned items. I also use macrocarpa (otherwise known as monterey cypress), ash, sycamore and cherry. I usually use sycamore for decorative items as it does not have a particularly distinctive grain and therefore works well with added colour. A few years ago I was lucky enough to be given a quantity of labernum. which has an amazingly beautiful contrast between the dark heart wood and the lighter sap wood and beautiful grain patterns reminiscent of olive, but this is difficult to come by!
*Spalted- This refers to dead wood that has been subjected to a natural fungal attack producing a contrast between light and dark areas and often blackening in distinct lines. It is very popular as it considerably enhances the otherwise rather plain colouring in woods such as beech. This is the Wikipedia explanation:-
Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress. Although spalting can cause weight loss and strength loss in the wood, the unique coloration and patterns of spalted wood are sought after by woodworkers.
See:-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalting
Spalted beech bowl
