Roots?

[Ulises Victoria]

A friend of mine, who used to build guitars, asked me if I had turned pens out of roots. I said no, but... are roots used as pen blanks? Do they have some special name or how would I know if x wood comes from a root?

Thanks in advance.

 

[triw51]

I have turned pens from rosebush roots, also argirta (not sure if I spelled that right) root is beatiful, to me root is like burl wood with very unique patterns

 

[BSea]

There are lots of roots to try. I have a spalted apple root blank from a tree that died in my brother in laws yard. Olive root is very cool.

 

[seamus7227]

If you can get your hands on some Mesquite root then you are in business, cuz so far, it has never failed in the "WOW" factor

 

[triw51]

If you can get your hands on some Mesquite root then you are in business, cuz so far, it has never failed in the "WOW" factor

I have two pieces of mesquite root drying in my yard I picked up when they widened the rood near my shop. Hoping to get more.

 

[Drstrangefart]

Dogwood root is also some impressive stuff. You can't go wrong turning stuff from roots.

 

[glycerine]

A lot of burls come from the root area of a tree or bush.

 

[alamocdc]

Root balls are great sources for making pens. I've used both peach and cherry root balls with great success. The figure can be phenominal!

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Briar is the root burl of a white heath shrub

 

[thewishman]

Buckeye burl is from the root of the California buckeye tree.