Exotic: A matter of point of view?

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Armacielli

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Ya know all those exotic woods that we're all tryin' to getour hands on? Do ya think that the people in South America are tryin' to get all of the woods that we can't seem to get rid of? For instance, is there a guy in Brazil saying, "Man, I got all this purpleheart and Bubinga, but I really wish I could get ahold of some of that exotic birch."? to sum up my question in one sentence: Is what's common to us concidered exotic to those who have what we consider exotic?
 
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I say yes. Exotic is dictated by its rarity on another locale.

Just as an example, some northern state turners consider mesquite as exotic. We on the other hand, consider it as firewood (even nuisance to some).
 
Originally posted by ligget

I like Quilted Maple, it is exotic to me here in the UK, but is easily available in America.

All depends where you live.:D

Let's say it's AVAILABLE!! At $10+ per board foot, not "easily" for most!!:D:D:D:D:D
 
By hilltopper46 poll , exotics are preferred 2:1 over native woods . Sure do appreciate you guys buying those plain old exotics , leaving me the gorgeous N American wood , cheap ! Wayne
 
I find my wife exotic (she's Filipino), her brother sees her as just another asian girl!?!?!?!? My sister on the other hand, he find's exotic?!?!?!?!? What's wrong with this guy!

I've come accross Pallets on rare occasions from SA that are made of Purpleheart. Why? It's cheap down there and not worth much more than Oak up here. The same goes for Filipino Mahogany. Scrap wood there, exotic here. Obviously there are some exceptions. If it's a hard to find figure or species, then it can be considered a domestic exotic like AAAAA Birdseye Maple is here.
 
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Originally posted by ed4copies

We have birdseye, curly, spalted and even quilted maple. Grows on trees, here.
 
In my area, Alder is a weed. My wifes cousin wanted to take a bunch home with her when she was here. So we filled a box with it and mailed it to her. Like I said, it's a weed to me, but to her it is exotic. Now, on the other hand, she lives in Arizona, she thinks Desert Ironwood is a weed and thought I was crazy for wanting some of it. So, I've instructed my wife to send back lots when she visits this month.[:p]:D
 
Originally posted by maxwell_smart007

Honestly, ALL hardwoods are exotic up here...we have ONLY softwoods available easily, so ANY hardwood is something exotic and rare...

Hence my necessity to buy from the US! :)

Pretty much here too, Washington State. Mostly softwoods. Except for Big leaf maple and Madrone.
 
Here in Florida, only Pine is native (oops, Cabbage palms and scrub oaks are too). Anything else is exotic to us. My rule of thumb is if it comes from anywhere besides the state you live in, it is exotic or non-native to be p.c.

Dave
 
Andrew and Steve Think you should look at your backyards a bit closer . Within an hours drive of Kenora , should be able to find hawthorn , chokecherry , pincherry , seviceberry , white elm , longtooth and trembling aspen , balsam poplar , shining , ***** , Bebb and peachleaf willows , ironwood , Mountain alder , white birch , Bur oak , Showy mountain ash , sweet viburnum , black and red ash , mountain and Manitoba maple . Within WA , grow bitter cherry , crab apple , serviceberry , trembling aspen , black cottonwood , Pacific and Bebb willows , Sitka , speckled , red and blueberry alders , Water and white birch , Cascara buckthorn , Garry oak , White flowering dogwood , Vine and Douglas maples . Most of it not readily commercially available , but the wood is there if you go looking . Any chance of making a friend at a small local sawmill ? Reference highly recommended: Trees in Canada , John Laird Farrar , Fitzhenry and Whiteside Limited . For me , looking for the wood is half the fun . Wayne
 
There aren't any local sawmills anymore, Wayne! After the headache with duties being assessed on softwood lumber, most of our sawmills went under. There was a good one about 20 min. away that just closed down about five years ago, but that's about it..

I don't know what it's like in Alberta, but in North-West ONtario, anything that's not owned by individuals is crown land...if you harvest anything off of it, they can take your chainsaw, truck, shoes, left arm, and hairgel...

And being Boreal Confierous forest, there aren't many deciduous trees around at all..(I did find some swamp ash a while back though...but again, on Crown land...)
 
Andrew It seems to me that you and I own a small bit of that Crown land . I understand the restriction on commercial exploitation for personal gain , BUT , if you were to go for a walk , twist your ankle , use your pocket folding saw to cut off a dead branch or piece of windfall to support yourself and reduce the agony as you dragged yourself back to your SUV , I can`t see a forestry warden saying much . He might however raise an eyebrow at the 5 ft long hair pin stuck to your scalp with your hairgel ! From a penturning point of view , there is far more value in the dead and decaying part of a forest than in the healthy standing stuff . It rots and is recycled through the forest eco-system , or is perfectly preserved as a pen in a landfill and becomes an archaeological treasure 2000 years from now . Both results have value and there is no right or wrong . Wayne
 
Just remember:

Law is made by law-yers, has NO ROOT word related to LOGIC!!!

If the cops (in one form or another) say you BROKE the LAW, you will GO BROKE trying to defend yourself. - Even if you are RIGHT, Logically.
 
Originally posted by maxwell_smart007

That big leaf maple is really nice stuff though...I got some off of Ebay a while back, and made some really neat bowls with it!

On that note, I'm going to scour Ebay and see if I can't pick up some more for a steal! :)

I have a bunch of Big Leaf Maple. And I mean lots. It's all wet, though. I had a tree dropped on my property last year. Maybe I should buck it up and offer it. Hmmmm --- thinking.:D

BTW - The tree was 30 or 40 feet tall and my wife wanted me to buck it up for firewood, also give it away for firewood. I said NO WAY.
 
The MNR around here must be a little more active than in your area, Wayne...it's a small town, but there are a LOT of fishing and forestry conservation officers around, since this area is very touristy, and used to be very much exploited for softwood lumber...

Not willing to risk getting caught...not worth the price!
 
Originally posted by maxwell_smart007

Honestly, ALL hardwoods are exotic up here...we have ONLY softwoods available easily, so ANY hardwood is something exotic and rare...

Hence my necessity to buy from the US! :)
I didn`t know that,you would think it is same as down here. Carl
PS, I got some hard woods i can sell ya..:)
 
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