African Wenge is an odd species and I use it to illustrate the exceptions to the rules about technical properties.  Its a popular species due to its dark color and its use as an alternative to Ebony.  Also covered in this episode: faux figure, burnishing, and property changes due to growing conditions.

115 Wenge

An 8/4, Kiln dried podcast all about lumber and your questions about it.  Let's dispel some myths and broaden an understanding of this ancient industry and help us all become a little more wood savvy...woodier??

Leisure

A word of warning on this episode.  New levels of nerdery on display here.  If I had a white lab coat I would have worn it while recording.  To sum up, woods with a higher T/R ratio will be harder to dry.  But if you are like me and want to know why a higher T/R ratio is harder to dry, keep watching to dive into some organic chemistry and cellular structure.
Also I feature Sapele this month.  A much more mainstream species but one worth looking at closely due to how it has taken over the Mahogany market.  A reminder that Walnut tier supporters on Patreon will be getting the fancy Sapele sticker with all of the details I discuss in this episode.

Become a supporter at:
https://www.patreon.com/lumberupdate

123 - Wood Cell Structure & Sapele

Lots of breaking news in the Lumber world and it was time I dust off my teleprompter and read everything that is on it.  News from Notre Dame, the Paris Aquatic Center, Carbon Fiber and Mass Timber, Key Bridge Tragedy, and lots of great feedback from y'all.  Plus I fit a few questions in about drying end grain cookies, lumber jobs, and Aniegre.

122 The News Show

Today we talk about American Hornbeam, why some trees are brittle, fast growing trees for lumber, IBAMA strike and the CITES impact, and a possible source for urban lumber.

121 - American Hornbeam

Let's talk about grassroots sustainability and how giving back as users of wood can start with education and grow into all kinds of programs for and individual or your local woodworking guild or even sawmill business.

120 - Wood Legacy

Iroko or African Teak is the featured species this month.  Found all across tropical Africa, the Iroko tree is enormous producing wide and long boards.  It is growing in popularity as an alternative to Teak due to its similar color.  But Iroko is a great species all on its own for exterior and interior projects.

115 Wenge

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