Xanthostemon Timber - Peppermill blanks

Hi Folks,

This is a long shot.

There are 48-51 currently identified species in the genus Xanthostemon. Some of the species produce wood that is extremely dense. Rather than collecting IWCS wood samples of these dense species, I thought making peppermills from each would be more interesting. So, can anyone here point me to a contact who might be able to supply a good turning square (75-100mm) x (75-100mm) x (300-400mm) of any of the following species??

X. confertiflorus (Sulawesi)
X. melanoxylon (Solomon Islands)
X. verdugonianus (Philippines)
X. petiolatus (New Guinea)
X. verus (Maluku)
X. novoguineensis (New Guinea)

Runge my olde friend,

Why not take a holiday to these tropical island, explore the area, see where they come from & bring some home in your suitcase. JOKING! I wouldn't mind a specimen of each myself.

Seems there is a run on dense dark woods like ebony & these species from Pacific islands but it wont last long before they will be gone forever. Short term profits I expect, sustainability is a problem is these islands, same as elsewhere. Think about the sandalwoods and similar high demand species from Hawaii and other island?

Cheers from Australia, Eugene

edit: typo

Hi Runge

I have Queen Ebony X. melanoxylon in that size some where at home, had it for near 10 years, but none of the others in those sizes. I got mine from Timber merchants Australia & Worldwide, so would be better from them, but not sure if they are still open for business. Give them a try but if not available I can dig mine out and work out a price for you.

Cheers

Hi Euge,

I like that idea. A tree hunting expedition!!

Yes, I agree with you assessment as to how long this party is going to last. There are lots of species that I used to be able to easily purchase but now, I cannot. X. melanoxylon is just one of them. I actually own a bunch of boards made from the wood but I never thought to buy a turning blank. Oops.

Be well.

Hello dai sensei,

I appreciate your offer. Let me see if I can avoid hassling you. I sent Sitco Australia an email and we'll see if he responds.

Hi Folks,

With regard to Xanthostemon species from the Philippines, there are five species there:

X. bracteatus
X. fruticosus
X. philippinensis
X. speciosus
X. verdugonianus

Two of the species produce small trees:

X. bracteatus
X. philippinensis

That leaves three species that might be appealing to woodies:

X. fruticosus
X. speciosus
X. verdugonianus

I am told that the distinction between X. fruticosus and X. verdugonianus is subtle. That brings me to the question of timber from X. verdugonianus comes in three varieties. Does anyone have any insight to add on this point?

Incidentally, if you're interested in Philippine timber, take a look at these:

http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/redd-plu..._and_Tools.pdf (Look at the appendices - Annex 1)
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/kd17cx56t

A local Xanthostemon species, oppositifolius. I call it KinKin Penda but its standard trade name is Southern Penda. I have just recently read a book called, "Tall Timber and Tramlines" where they talk about the line that went from Lake Cootharaba to close to KinKin. Although the line was only used with horses, they said that the Penda rails lasted two years as opposed to Ironbark which only lasted 6 months. Yes, it is a dense and dark wood. I even have a small sample but it is basically unprocurable. I know of a couple of trees and have even planted a few here but I will have to wait quite a bit longer to get some worthwhile wood from them. I do though keep my eyes open and you can never tell what can be found.
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