No two alike

Along the Oregon coast you will see them every where. Myrtle wood factories and gift shops.
So what does a Myrtle wood tree look like and why is it so different and popular there?
Myrtle wood trees grow native nowhere else in the world except a narrow band along the coast of Southern Oregon.
These large dense hardwood trees are a member of the Laurel family, growing in a symmetrical shape, having long flat leaves. Surprisingly the leaves can be used for seasoning much like the bay leaf.
The tree is striking, towering like a huge umbrella.
The entire large stand of Myrtle has been cut down by our past settlers, leaving only scattered trees here and there. Making this tree one of the world’s rarest woods.
The wood is a dense hardwood varied in colors of red, yellow, brown. Sliver, grey and black.
There are no two pieces alike. This wood has such a broad variation of figure and startling color contrast it makes a gift of Myrtle, a prize possession.
We were recently to the Bandon, Oregon area where we stopped in at the Woods of the West.
When we ask for a tour they were so willing to show us.
Tom Olive was the one that took us to see the operation of what it takes to get these beautiful wood items finished.
We are not from Oregon, so we wanted to see what a Myrtle tree looked like.
Tom just happened to have one in his yard.
The next thing was to see the work shop where the trees are split into boards and dried for later use and to sell.
The laser used to make the items from the Myrtle wood was all computer generated.
Now how fun that would be. Go to your program find the item you want to make today, put your wood into the machine, push the button and wait for it to spill out a few of them.
Then comes the finished work and that is a lot harder.
If you get to Bandon and stop to see Tom, tell him you read about it here.
Doinstuff.com
Located about 6 miles south of Bandon on hwy. 101.



Thomas Guide: Pacific Northwest Road Atlas (7th)