Rippled sweet chestnut, also known as “fiddleback” or “tiger stripe” presents a figure that arises from the undulating growth rings within the tree, creating a series of parallel, shimmering lines that appear to move and change with the angle of light. The wood itself is typically a warm, medium brown with hints of golden or…

Tigerwood, also known as Goncalo Alves, is a striking hardwood known for its dramatic, contrasting stripes that resemble the pattern of a tiger. The tree itself, Astronium graveolens, is a relatively large tree native to Central and South America, often found in the rainforests of Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala.

A local tree surgeon was cutting down an Apple tree in the neighbourhood and kindly offered the wood for reclaiming. Having spent a couple of years seasoning and drying in the fresh outside air it has turned some lovely bowls.

Crotch olive ash wood, with its striking figure, is a testament to the beauty found in a tree’s most intricate points. The “crotch,” where the trunk splits into two or more large limbs, yields wood characterized by swirling grain patterns that converge and diverge in captivating ways.