Oregon Myrtle, smooth & tough

A REGON MYRTLE trees, a V unique hardwood that grow in the coastal regions of Southern Oregon and Northern California, have an extremely fine texture and grain that make it smooth, tough and durable.

The coloring is quite unusual, varying from a sedate, satiny gray to multicolored shades of red, yellow and brown. Thus, the combination of exotic raw material and handwork produces bowls, platters, intricate sculptures and other items that are notable for their natural and simple beauty.

Three types of Myrtlewood materials are utilized: the figure log, the cluster log, and the burl: o Figure logs have a curly or wavy grain that is quite uniform. The fiddleback grain is one of its choice markings. o Burls are freak growths or swellings found on the trunks or limbs of trees. The cause of such growths is not definitely known, but it is sometimes attributed to injury of the tree. Myrtle burls for commercial use range from 400lbs. to as much as two or three tons.

. Cluster logs have small, burlwood bumps distributed quite evenly over their surface and extending into the wood. Between the burl bumps, the surface is smoother and often has the fiddleback grain.

. Cluster logs are considered choice if the bumps are uniformly dispersed over the surface of the log.

For many years, it has been believed that Myrtlewood grows only along the Pacific Coast and in the Holy Land. Though similar in name and appearance of the wood, the species of Myrtle growing in Palestine is small, bushy and slightly different from the beautiful, regal tree of the Pacific Coast.

Even so, the association in the minds of many adds a mystique to this rare and beautiful wood which makes it more appropriate as a Christmas gift, many feel.

The Myrtlewood industry of Southwestern Oregon remains a "cottage industry" and is still highly dependent upon the tourist trade on the state's scenic coastline. Each of the dozen or so

Story at a Glance

Myrtlewood's extremely f ine texture makes it smooth, tough and durable. color Yaries from a satiny gray to combinations of red, yellow and brown.. . commonly used for bowls, platters and art obiects.

manufacturers creates articles from the beautiful wood on a one-by-one basis and sells them in connecting retail stores.

Logs are procured from timber companies in the area as a by-product of their softwood operations and in some instances are processed on the Myrtlewood factory's own, antique headrig to produce slabs. The slabs are then bandsawed into blanks for bowl, plate and other product shapes. These are rough turned and "seasoned" in dry kilns for six months. The finish turning, polishing and coating are then accomplished by hiehly skilled craftsmen.

Myrtlewood's seemingly glasslike finish and its ability to "take an edge" make it the perfect wood for intricate lathe work.

Small-stemmed goblets and spire-like candleholders are just two examples of the delicate objects which can be created from Myrtlewood.

Since each piece is "measured by eye," no two are exactly alike. Combine this with the wide variety of grains and colors, and you can see why this unique wood is held in such high esteem. It is valued as a gift and as a memento of one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

Our thanks to the Roseburg Lumber Co. for their kind permission to excerpt this materia I from th ei r llOO DSMA N Ma ga' zine. - ed.