Olive Wood
Olea europaea • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked, wavy, and irregular grain with a fine, uniform texture; often features high-contrast streaks and marbling
Color Description
Heartwood is a cream or yellowish brown with darker brown or black contrasting streaks. Sapwood is distinct pale cream. Colors tend to deepen and rich with age and exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
2,710 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; vulnerable to insect attack and not recommended for ground contact or outdoor use.
Common Uses
Turned objects (especially pens and bowls), high-end furniture, flooring, veneer, and kitchen items like cutting boards.
Geographic Origin
Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $30.00 per board foot, depending on the intensity of the figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern (likely less than 10 years old), based on the crisp finish of the pen blank and lack of significant oxidation or darkening.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally sustainable.
Workability
Challenging due to high density and interlocked grain which can cause tearout. Glues and finishes well; contains natural oils that may require solvent-wiping before gluing.
Notable Features
Distinctive fruity/olive scent when being worked; high density allows for a very smooth, lustrous polish; high oil content.
Finish Recommendations
Sanding to high grits (400+) followed by Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue finish for pens, or natural oils and waxes to highlight the figure.
Identification Confidence
High; the yellowish-cream base color combined with the specific streaking and the fine texture on a turned pen blank is highly characteristic of Olea europaea.