Choosing Your Wood Type: Commission Your Own Southern Treasure With Willow
There are so many different types of wood to consider when commissioning a piece of furniture, and to have a piece that you truly treasure, you owe it to yourself to explore your options. I’ve talked about the pros and cons that different wood types can offer on my design blog, and I wanted to incorporate Willow into this list.
Willow hails from the Middle and Southern states, primarily along the Mississippi River. This Southern wood features a sapwood that is a light cream brown color and a pale brown heartwood with red and grey tones. The texture of the wood is fine and it is typically straight-grained; however, it’s not unusual to find Willow with interlocking grains.
From a woodworking prospective, Willow is easy to work with, but requires extra care when it contains interlocking grains. It is a weaker wood when you consider its ability to bend, compress, resistance to shock, and stiffness. We often see Willow used to make moldings, paneling, doors, and furniture, and it’s a great alternative to Walnut.
To learn more about Willow and and the advantages that this Southern wood can offer, please contact me. I will also be happy to walk you through the process of commissioning a piece of furniture and other important factors that you should consider in addition to material choice.