Hi Everyone ~ I just now signed onto your forum after perusing for a day or two. In the interest of 'full disclosure' I should mention that I am not a grower. In fact, my wife has me living in one of those condo 'boxes' at the moment. My background is in Horticulture (Ornamental) and while I am (was) fairly knowledgeable of Zone 7 plant culture.... I know very little with regards to Zone 10ish and in particular these tropical fruits.
So... you might be wondering why in the heck am I showing up on the board. Well.... actually it is for admittedly self-serving purposes. While you folks are passionate about the tropical fruit trees.... I am passionate about the wood that comes from them.
I carve and sell (mostly online) wooden spoons. Some are functional, some are non-functional..... and most are dysfunctional. Beings that I live in Florida nowadays, I have had the opportunity to carve some of the exotic woods found here. I have a strong liking for carving spoons from wood that maybe no one else has carved from.... or at least, wood that generally would not be considered for that purpose.
Local woods I have carved include Surinam Cherry, Carambola, Yellow Tabby, Bougainvillea, Sea Grape and Shaving Brush tree.... among others. Most of the wood I gather from other folks brush piles..... which I enjoy doing because in my mind.... it gives the tree a sort of 'second life' in addition to that 'circle of life' decaying process.
I enjoy working with wood that has minor decay (spalt), contrast in light and dark (heartwood and sapwood), interesting bark textures (including thorns and the such) and really anything unusual that gives the wood added character... worm holes, woodpeckers, graft lines, etc.
I know this is a trading forum.... and that is why I am showing up.... to hopefully find some new woods to mess with... and maybe once in a while swap out a spoon for said wood. The wood does not have to be large..... from an inch or two in diameter up.... and 8 - 12 inches long (thereabouts). I just hate to see good wood go to the landfill or burn pile.
The two spoon photos attached are both from less than a 2" branch of Star Fruit wood.... so it does not take a lot of wood to fashion a spoon. By the way.... Star Fruit is a bit hard to carve but is becoming a favorite.
So... I just thought I would throw this out there in front of you guys and see what comes of it.... if anything. Just want to add that I am envious that you guys have property to actually 'GROW' on. I am hoping one day to escape this box and get myself a piece of ground to play on. Thanks for taking the time to read.... (and I hope it is an appropriate post for this forum. If not.... my apologies are offered).
'Unravel'
'Tree Skin'