OLIVEWOOD

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Heartwood is typically yellow to light reddish brown, with contrasting darker brown to black streaks and veins. Yellowish sapwood is generally sharply demarcated from the heartwood, though it can be harder to tell apart if the heartwood lacks contrasting streaks. Overall color tends to deepen with age. Olive is sometimes figured with curly or wavy grain, burl, or wild grain. When used for lumber, olive wood is generally named after its origin, with a number of names/sources commonly used, such as Bethlehem olive, European olive, Italian olive, Mediterranean olive, and Spanish olive. Although growing conditions can affect the tree and therefore the quality of the wood produced, there doesn’t seem to be much of a consistent difference in the wood from different general regions in the Mediterranean.

WORKING PROPERTIES

Can be somewhat difficult to work on account of its density and sometimes wild or interlocked grain, resulting in tearout during surfacing operations. Olive has high movement in service and is considered to have poor stability—especially if branch wood has been used (a more common occurrence with fruit trees like olive). Turns superbly, though drying checks and warpage can occur during drying. Glues and finishes well.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Grain may be straight, interlocked, or wild. Fine uniform texture with moderate natural luster.

MAIN USES

High-end furniture, veneer, turned objects, and small specialty wood items.