Ambrosia Maple Box - 176
Measures 13" x 9" x 5" $140
Ambrosia Maple - There are approximately 128 species , most of which are native to Asia, with a number also appearing in Europe, northern Africa, and North America. The ambrosia character in the maple wood is caused by a beetle which bores through the living wood, carrying a fungus on it's legs/carapace that is deposited on the wood fibers. As the sap continues to flow through the tree, it causes the fungus to spread out through the wood from the small holes carved by the beetle. This ambrosia fungus, which gives the wood it's name, causes discoloration in the maple lumber ranging through various shades of brown, but sometimes including orange, pink, green, and light purple. When boards are flat-sawn from these logs, the ambrosia signature is accentuated and the wood achieves a highly unique appearance with a distinctly rustic nature. Although created by this combination of beetle and fungus activity, ambrosia maple is sometimes referred to as "wormy" maple.
Walnut - Walnut is the only North American hardwood that has a rich, dark-colored wood. Walnut trees tend to grow with few bends which leads to straight wood grain. The trees themselves can be up to 100 feet tall and up to 3 feet in diameter. There are about 20 different species of walnut and six of those are found in the United States. Walnut material works well with hand tools and power tools. It is also an ideal wood for carvings, wood turnings and is prized as a veneer. Wood workers value the wood because it takes well to fasteners and glue plus it rarely has sap pockets that can create blemishes that diminish the beauty of a project. In addition, walnut does not mar easily and, since the wood is so dark, scratches and chips that do occur are well hidden. Walnut is used in a variety of products from cabinets to luxury car detailing to airplane propellers. Its exceptionally straight grain allows for little compression and great shock resistance, so the wood is the material of choice for gun stocks. Walnut can also be found in doors, mill work, wood turnings, decorative work, furniture and musical instruments.