Thread: Is there a European Boxwood supplier in Australia?

is there a reason it has to be European Boxwood?

I'm sure there are other similar species available

For flutes or Recorders or Netsuke? Like rocking horse Doo Doo. Cotoneaster is a working substitute for carving, for instruments I have no idea, sorry.

Originally Posted by Sebastiaan56

For flutes or Recorders or Netsuke? Like rocking horse Doo Doo. Cotoneaster is a working substitute for carving, for instruments I have no idea, sorry.

good for instruments too!

If you can't get any and want to experiment I'll give you a bit of Cairns Pencil Cedar. (You'll have to pay postage though). It's a little less dense then European Boxwood, turns well, and excellent for carving. I have no idea about musical instrument suitability but there's only one way to find out...

Some of you guys guessed right - yeah it's for musical instrument making

Originally Posted by ian

is there a reason it has to be European Boxwood?

I'm sure there are other similar species available

There might be but I need something like this for it's hue (the lovely faint yellow colour), fine grain and durability (hardness/density)... There's Castello Boxwood from USA but yeah it would be nice if something similar existed in Australia.

Originally Posted by John.G

If you can't get any and want to experiment I'll give you a bit of Cairns Pencil Cedar. (You'll have to pay postage though). It's a little less dense then European Boxwood, turns well, and excellent for carving. I have no idea about musical instrument suitability but there's only one way to find out...

Thanks for the offer but it's not quite the look I'm after.

Originally Posted by bpbuilder

There might be but I need something like this for it's hue (the lovely faint yellow colour), fine grain and durability (hardness/density)...

Jitta should be a fair match.

Hi bpbuilder,
Cotoneaster, there is no better Turning Wood than it.
Stable, stays true, beautiful colour. Love the Stuff.

Why not ask Brendan Stemp, as he makes Wind Instruments.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi bpbuilder,
Cotoneaster, there is no better Turning Wood than it.
Stable, stays true, beautiful colour. Love the Stuff.

Why not ask Brendan Stemp, as he makes Wind Instruments.

Where can I find Cotoneaster to try? Cannot find a lot by Googling... Any link to it's properties as well? Density etc.? People mention it resembles boxwood so I'd be keen to try.

There is a native Yellow Boxwood (Planchonella pohlmaniana), which Bootle's describes as 'firm, but easy to work' and suitable for 'drawing equipment, picot laps for gyroscopes, fancy turnery, kitchen utensils'. Not to be confused with Yellow Box which he describes as 'difficult to work' and suitable for 'heavy engineering construction, bridges, posts, poles, sleepers.' Sadly it seems that Yellow Boxwood isn't commercially available, but perhaps some local timber cutters might have some, or be able to get some. The description of its uses seems reminiscent of how the European Buxus is used, perhaps -- if you can get some -- it will also be suitable for your purposes.

Originally Posted by tuscany33

There is a native Yellow Boxwood (Planchonella pohlmaniana), which Bootle's describes as 'firm, but easy to work' and suitable for 'drawing equipment, picot laps for gyroscopes, fancy turnery, kitchen utensils'. Not to be confused with Yellow Box which he describes as 'difficult to work' and suitable for 'heavy engineering construction, bridges, posts, poles, sleepers.' Sadly it seems that Yellow Boxwood isn't commercially available, but perhaps some local timber cutters might have some, or be able to get some. The description of its uses seems reminiscent of how the European Buxus is used, perhaps -- if you can get some -- it will also be suitable for your purposes.

Thanks for the info. Might have to have a ring around and see what I can find. I like the idea of using a native species.

Although yes, a lot of these timbers seem to be rather hard to get a hold of.