Does anyone have a good source for this? I’m not interested in Asian boxwood at all…I live in the USA, so a supplier on these shores would be a bit more convenient than one over the Atlantic.
Try here:
http://www.marshallplaceboxwoods.com/
I have no experience with them, the name came up in a search engine.
I have found two sources for European boxwood (Gossypiospermum spp.) The first is http://www.righteouswoods.net
They list European Pyrenees Boxwood - Half Logs ( small ) $ 4.62 per lbs.
The next is http://www.goosebaylumber.com
They list having various sizes at $5.00/lb
I have not order from either of these companies, but I have an order that I will be placing today with Goosebay. They seem to have a slightly better selection of the woods I am interested in.
Let us know the quality. Do they have pieces large enough to work into a chanter?
Dionys
P.s. Any suggested source for blackwood?
Another source for both Blackwood and Boxwood.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/supremewood/Index.htm
Dionys,
I e-mailed Martin Preshaw over a year ago about Boxwood, If I recall, he had access to some seasoned 7+ years. You might want to contact him.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried American Honey or Black Locust wood. They are both in the acasia family as is blackwood, but the color is light. Michigan is lousy with it (and Chestnut trees) but I never see it sold. It seems to grow straight and makes hard firewood. I’ve heard of recorders being made of locust. Any guesses?
Marc
Marc…the instrument makers I know have always shied away from Locust because of it’s inherent tendency to split and crack, apparently even when cured properly. I have read that one of the attraction for Boxwood, and some Maple, is that the internal grain structure discourages separation…you’ll notice that boxwood flutes and maple recorders don’t have the cracks in them that other woods often have. But, I’m no expert on these things.
Before metal posts came along, farmers use to use Locust for fence posts because it lasted so long and split fairly straight.
Dear Lorenzo,
Thanks for the info. Well, there goes my farming idea. It’s at least a pretty tree though.
Marc