Our wood for this week is holly, it is mostly used for inlay material and sometimes points. It has a lot of knots and irregularities. When using holly, it is advised to get a lot more than you plan on using, due to a high scrap factor. Holly is white to ivoryish in color. It is best to cut the tree down in the winter, if not the wood can take on a blueish cast. It also will discolor if allowed to air dry, so it goes to the kiln very soon after it is harvested. It may warp and cup during kiln drying.
American Holly is known scientifically as, Ilex Opaca. It is part of the Aquifoliaceae family. There are 350 diferent species of Ilex. The one we are concerned with is from North America. It can be found, from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, southwest to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma, south to Texas and east to Florida.
Hollies have spiny evergreen leaves and red berries on the female trees. It is found in lower areas of deep, rich, moist soils in association with magnolia, oaks, sweet gum, maples and hackberry. It reaches a height of 50 feet with a 2 foot diameter. The bark is thick and relatively smooth with rough wart like processes.
Holly is difficult to work, but takes a high polish. It glues well, but drilling should be done slowly. It takes a stain well, and can be ebonized. If anyone has any information on the process of ebonizing, I'd like to hear about it.
Tracy
American Holly is known scientifically as, Ilex Opaca. It is part of the Aquifoliaceae family. There are 350 diferent species of Ilex. The one we are concerned with is from North America. It can be found, from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, southwest to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma, south to Texas and east to Florida.
Hollies have spiny evergreen leaves and red berries on the female trees. It is found in lower areas of deep, rich, moist soils in association with magnolia, oaks, sweet gum, maples and hackberry. It reaches a height of 50 feet with a 2 foot diameter. The bark is thick and relatively smooth with rough wart like processes.
Holly is difficult to work, but takes a high polish. It glues well, but drilling should be done slowly. It takes a stain well, and can be ebonized. If anyone has any information on the process of ebonizing, I'd like to hear about it.
Tracy
