Desert Ironwood: The Strong Tree That Survives the Desert
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.…
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.…
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…
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…
When I first saw hackberry wood on a stack at a sawmill, I let it be. I was searching for ash, and hackberry just seemed unimportant. The seller pulled me up short:…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
I think the first time I used a hardwax oil was for my own house. As were many others, I left mystified. Some said polyurethane was tougher. Others swore by traditional oil.…