Here we go roung the mulberry bush

Uilleann Pipes
1

Okay, let me get the obvious stuff out of the way first so I can ask my question and not get buried in the usual quibbling. I know woodwinds are made out of the densest wood available. I know European makers favoured boxwood, but it is slow growing, and no longer readily available in suitable sizes. I know that some makers in the past have used various fruitwoods because of their density. So my question is, does anyone know if mulberry wood is suitable for making woodwinds? The reason I ask is that I’m about to remove some mulberry trees up 10" in diameter, 30’ in height from my backyard, and wonder if it has any use beyond firewood.

Thx,

djm

2

Mulberry is used by by some Italian makers of ciaramelle, the oboes played with the zampogna. It is only used for the bells, being too soft for body of the instrument. Olive, erica, almond, apricot, are more favored for that. Mulberry is also used in mainstocks for some zampogne, particularly in Calabria. Much better timbers are readily available.

Ted

3

Thanks, Ted. That’s exactly what I needed to know.

djm