Port Orford Cedar
Native to Oregon and much prized in Japan as a construction timber; why it was planted here in this small corner of North Norfolk, I have no idea! But of all the conifers that we regularly thin and replace with broadleaf, the Orfords are left well alone until needed. It's such a lovely timber to work: It's straight grained, cleaves cleanly, steam-bends (as well as ash) and is highly rot resistant. No, it's not as visually interesting as maybe board-sawn oak and perhaps not as tough as seasoned beech, but it has an unassuming and delicate grain and has a delightful ginger-like scent. Used recently on the splint baskets, I treated the top faces of the bands and handle with my interpretation of a Japanese Kakishibu tannin dye, it's a deep reddish brown and it's as natural a stain as you could ever wish for, and what's more... it's a preservative too! As a side note; how ever much I've enjoyed working with Orford cedar,...