Desert ironwood is one of the toughest trees on Earth. It thrives in where everything else grows extinct. Sun and drought, dry air, poor soil and long droughts do not stop it. This tree is evidence that nature finds a way. Its scientific…
The shittim wood is one of the best known trees in the Bible. It was solid, built to last and ideal for the desert. That is why it was selected as one of the materials to make some of the holiest objects in…
My first encounter with chestnut wood came when I was assisting in the restoration of an old barn. The boards were a warm, golden brown with straight, bold grain that caught our eye immediately. I didn’t know what it was then. That’s chestnut,” said…
If you ask the common folk about “wood decay,” most will assume that it’s a bad thing. Something weak. Something useless. But in the world of woodworking there is one gorgeous exception: spalted maple. Spalted maple is evidence that nature can turn…
Hearing the name Indian Laurel, people often think of one thing. In fact, however, this name refers to two very different plants. One is a big shade tree that you will find in the cities. The other is a sturdy, lovely…
A walking cane is more than just a tool for support. For a lot of folks, it is something you have on you every single day — something that you depend and count on. People have been using wood to make walking…
Last year, I found myself in a hardware store gripping two bottles. One said Hardwax Oil. The other said Danish Oil. Both promised beauty, natural protection and durability. One was nearly three times as costly as the other. Like most people, I…
Step into a woodworking shop, and typically two machines dominate the space from their location in opposite corners: the band saw and the table saw. Both are robust, both are reliable and both can revolutionize the way you work with wood. But…
Brick homes can really catch people’s attention. They feel substantial, old-fashioned and made to last. But here’s a little secret that many homeowners don’t discover until issues arise later: most modern brick homes aren’t built with solid brick at all. Instead, they employ…
You’d think that picking out cabinet doors would be the quick and easy part of a kitchen remodel but it is one choice you’ll have to live with for years. When you enter a warm, traditional kitchen that feels like homey and…
