Lignum Vitae....What type?

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scotian12

scotian12

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I did not want to hijack Jim Lanes thread so I'm posting separately. Jim mentioned that lignum vitae comes from different regions and that some woods of this species are better (different) than other...somewhat like olive wood. What region produces the best lignum vitae and why is it better wood. Thanks Darrell
 
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Lignum Vitae (Ironwood): Find it in Woodfinder!

I do not think these woods that are being passed off as the real thing are better, they are just different in grain and color. This happens many times. Mahagony is another general term and there are many different regions it comes from. Woods color can be altered too by heat drying as opposed to natural drying. Walnut is a prime example of that. Woods that are harvested at different times of the years can also effect colors such as Holly.

You can use that woodfinder site to see some facts about the woods mentioned in that thread if you like.
 
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Genuine Lignum Vitae is on the banned import list, I think...and now Argentine lignum vitae (which was introduced as its commercial replacement, like African mahogany vs Honduras royal mahogany) is also listed on the CITES index of endangered trees.

Even the replacement for that - Guaiacum sanctum - was transferred to the CITES endangered list...

I guess the best would be the one that you can get, and which isn't endangered.

There are many beautiful woods - pick one that's not in danger of extinction due to commercial exploitation.
 
Thank you John for the link and reply. Andrew you make a very good point about conservation and using other available woods. Last night I picked up 16 feet of Nova Scotia hornbeam. It is white in color and was used in the days of ship building in Nova Scotia for gears on ships. It is a very hard and durable wood like lignum vitae. Thanks again for your replies. Darrell
 
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