Olive
Olea europaea · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East).
- Hardness
- 2,710 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable; poor resistance to insect attack but good resistance to indoor rot and decay.
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Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and interlocked with wavy and curly figure; features distinctive marbled streaks and dark 'ink lines'.
Color & Appearance
Creamy golden-yellow heartwood with darker brown/black contrasting streaks; sapwood is pale yellow. Colors deepen and darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
2,710 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable; poor resistance to insect attack but good resistance to indoor rot and decay.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $25.00 - $45.00 per board foot depending on figure intensity.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively modern cut (last 5-10 years) based on light surface oxidation and clean mechanical edges on the pen blank.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but slow-growing.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, turned objects, bowls, knife handles, kitchen utensils, and decorative veneers.
Geographic Origin
Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East).
Workability
Difficult to work due to high density and interlocked grain; can cause significant tearout. Glues and finishes well due to high natural oil content.
Finish Recommendations
Natural oils (tung or linseed), wax, or shellac to highlight the figure; can be polished to a high natural shine without heavy film finishes.
Notable Features
Distinctive sweet, olive-like scent when being worked; high natural oil content provides a natural luster; very heavy and dense.
