June 2007 - This wood was given to me by a friend who purchased 2 pen
blancs in Oregon. Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern
Oregon.
Early explorers to this area were very impressed with this rare and beautiful tree. Oregon
Myrtlewood looks very similar to the Myrtle The. Hence the old legend Myrtle is
found only here and in the Holy Land. Myrtlewood in slow growing and very hard and
finely textured which is excellent for durability and quality of finish.
Myrtlewood has an amazing grain color and grain patterns. Soil composition and minerals
contribute to a wide range of coloration from blond, to black, with grays, honeys, browns,
and occasional streaks of yellow, red, pink and green. When these colors mingle with grain
patterns of swirls, fiddleback, spalting, tigerstripe and burl one can understand how
myrtlewood is considered by many to be one of the worlds most beautiful hardwoods.
Oregon Myrtlewood became popular for making gift items back in the early 1900s. Local
woodworkers in Reedsport, Oregon have developed a small cottage industry making
handcrafted Myrtlewood products and gifts for visitors and residents of the area.