I am in Northern California on a dual purpose trip.  I met with my hardwood suppliers the past few days and I am now going to have a few days of R&R visiting family in the San Francisco Area.

I have learned a lot about some woods not normally seen on the east coast and I would like to share the experience.

I will over the next few weeks share some of my new found knowledge with you.

Desert Ironwood (botanical; Olneya Tesota)

Characteristics: Olneya Tesota is one of the denseest and most stable woods known.  It is so dense that it will not float on water, and so hard that it has been used for ball bearings.  It's hardness and color varity means it yeilds extremely attractive appearance and finishes beautifully.  Due to its hardness and tree size pieces are small.  This fact alone has led me to use this particular wood on tables and occasiaonal pieces. I take artistic license and use pieces of various sizes and shapes to make interesting and one of a kind designs in a ceramic fashion to make the table tops.  The wood surface is so hard that it is impossible to dent or stain the surface.  I usually do not use polyeurathane because it is not necessary because of the woods properties.  Ironwood is deep chocolate-brown, almost black with yellowish red highlights.  The Desert Ironwood tree is a typical desert tree which reaches a non-plussing height of 25 feet with a short thick trunk that is up to 18" in diameter.  It is rarely straight, growing with all manner of twists and turns. That is why the pieces are small but it also explains the interesting patterns and designs available when this wood is used. 

You can learn more about Desert Ironwood at Wikipedia as well as see a picture of this non descript tree that bears wonderful wood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olneya

As always I can be reached via email at george@geo-customfurniture.com or by phone at 302.541.4599 

I hope you are attracted to this woods beauty as I am.

George