Thread: Natutal BLUE WOOD?

I'm going to go out on a limb here (pun somewhat intended) and say that blue wood does not exist.

Basically, organic blue pigments don't exist (the Nessaea obrinus butterfly being the only known exception); when you see blue in nature it's generally being created by the surface scattering or reflecting light so it appears blue.

Further reading/watching here (and plenty more on google):
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-col...-plant-kingdom
https://bestlifeonline.com/blue-in-nature/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g246c6Bv58

I have a couple of pen blanks of Blue Mahoe, it’s a bit of a stretch of the imagination to call them blue, but they have oxidised to a sort of bluish grey.

I also have some bits of Dogwood/Creek Wilga . All my pieces have some varying amounts of blue/green colours through them. Very nice stuff.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I'm going to go out on a limb here (pun somewhat intended) and say that blue wood does not exist.

Basically, organic blue pigments don't exist (the Nessaea obrinus butterfly being the only known exception); when you see blue in nature it's generally being created by the surface scattering or reflecting light so it appears blue.

Further reading/watching here (and plenty more on google):
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-col...-plant-kingdom
https://bestlifeonline.com/blue-in-nature/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g246c6Bv58

Great response.. thanks

But blue pigments occur in flowers so why aren’t similar pigments found in wood? The chemistry is in plants but usually higher oxidised compounds are found in woods ie the red end prevails. Being over-educated in Plant Chemistry I do understand the science of colour and electromagnetic energy theory BUT ...

What about Blue Mahoe (Cotton tree) Hibiscus elatus or H. tiliaceus or Taliparti elatum, similar trees which grow here too along tropical seashores. Blaue Mahoe is known for the characteristic colour of its wood just after milling. With blue, violet, light blue, steel blue, greenish even "rarely even a royal blue" colour … most of the wood has less than 20% blue.

https://www.exoticwood.biz/bluemahoe.htm

But the blue tone does not last, it changes with time to shades of brown, purple, grey, and a dirty bluey-green.

Euge

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I have a couple of pen blanks of Blue Mahoe, it’s a bit of a stretch of the imagination to call them blue, but they have oxidised to a sort of bluish grey.

I also have some bits of Dogwood/Creek Wilga . All my pieces have some varying amounts of blue/green colours through them. Very nice stuff.

Can you post some pics please Ironwood ? Thanks.
I've found some grey mangrove with bluish streaks in it too

PS: Ironwood, your post came in while I was composing mine,

Originally Posted by Euge

Can you post some pics please Ironwood ?

Yes, but it will have to wait until the weekend.

I posted this pen here too, but the photos have disappeared, so unfortunately I have to link this one.
Australian Dogwood - International Association of Penturners
It is interesting reading that old thread again, I did end up selling that pen.

Yes thanks Ironwood ... thats a LOVELY pen!!
I have some of that Dogwood (Eremophila spp) but mine has more greenish streaks through gold. May see if I can find it.

How about this below .... it's is geting "bluish-grey" ... or a "bluish-violet" maybe ?

Anyone have anything better?

Blue?.jpg

Thanks Euge.

Originally Posted by Euge

I have some of that Dogwood (Eremophila spp) but mine has more greenish streaks through gold. May see if I can find it.

I thought I saw a piece in one of your “Prospects “ photos

Edit- I have looked and can’t find it now . Thought it was where you said you were making an extraordinary category.

2nd Edit- Sorry, it was in Gabriel’s thread (challenge thread) I think he said the blank came from you.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

Thanks Euge.....
2nd Edit- Sorry, it was in Gabriel’s thread (challenge thread) I think he said the blank came from you.

Yes, indeed the piece marked "ringed Dogwood" came from me (its an Eremophila like Creek Wilga) with some greenish streaks & lovely bright yellows.
Hope it turns out for Gab. Its not hard but has a "cranky grain" as some say. It was badly cracked when I got a small block from an aboriginal friend in northern NSW years ago. I have a boomerang made from it which I may photograph and post somewhere. I have just a bit more that I cut for knife handles or pens.

Euge

Here is another curiosity you may find as did I when searching for “BLUEWOOD"

Brasil, Brasilian bluewood, Bluewood Condalia, or Condallia
Condalia hookeri (formerly C. obovata) Rhamnaceae family
A prickly shrub growing in Southern Texas and Mexico, its wood is used for fine turning, for dye and used as fuel.

But where does the "bluewood" name come from when the wood is obviously not blue?
“ The common name refers to a blue dye obtained from the wood, which is also prized for fuel.”

It has a beautiful fine wood like our Australian Supplejack (also in the Rhamnaceae family). Pink Ivory & Brown ivory (Africa) are in same family.
Here below is a small log I just cut sent to me by a US friend in early 90s of the above species.
I was also gifted a "cribbage board" about 250mm long and 40 mm wide shown above the log.

Condalia.jpg

Edit: Interesting that the wood is brown when the dye from the wood is said to be blue (or at least dyes matter blue) .. wood does not seem photosensitive ie turning blue on light or oxygen exposure. Wood dust has been sucked into the dust extractor. Should have boiled some in water ... may later.

2 Blue Mahoe pen blanks, one end has been wiped with a wet rag. Sort of a bluish/violetish grey.
DSC_9408.jpg

Some bits of Creek Wilga / Dogwood, with streaks of blue/green.

DSC_9407.jpg

DSC_9412.jpg

Thanks Ironwood, Nice pics and a nice wood (Eremeophila bignonifolia I think) Also called Dogwood in some areas. I have some thin panels of the same somewhere. Must get a scraper so I can present a fresh / clean surface for photography. Will do so later unless I can find some old images .....Meanwhile, back in the pile

Here are the two bluest woods I have seen, at least in my collection

Grey Mangrove.jpeg

Above: Avicennia marina (Grey Mangrove) showingh bluish grey hues. Other samples I have are decidedly BROWN with patches that appear to be resins. Sapwood is coloured a creamy- white. This species has an occluded phloem (bark) giving it a coarse but interesting texture. Wood is of medium density and with a coarse open grain … but looks lovely in pens!! (Hint)

Below: The best Blue Mahoe but believe there is better. This is a bluish-lilac to my eyes. But beautiful nonetheless eh?

Blue Mahoe.jpg

You piece of Blue Mahoe is very striking.
I had never heard of the wood until I received those 2 blanks as extras in a box of Lignum Vitae blanks.

Been looking through some old photos of Creek Wilga / Dogwood & this board is one showing similar green-blue caste in some areas,
I may have better block

Dogwood 1.jpg Dogwood 2.jpg