Alligator Juniper

[Freds]

Here is a picture of three pens that I recently turned. The wood is Alligator Juniper. I searched the IAP site for other examples and found only one reference to this wood. It was in a thread started by alamocdc. In a response by ITS-virgil there was a link to a description of the tree. I have copied it here.

http://www.toddshikingguide.com/FloraFauna/Flora90.htm

This wood is easy to turn and aromatic while turning. It finishes to a very smooth finish. These pens were sanded and then MM to 12000. I then gave them a light coat of friction polish.

Have any of you used this wood before?

The pieces I used were from a reasonably young branch. I initially mistook it for being wood from the manzanita bush with a dark red bark. The pieces I had were 2-3 inches in diameter.

 

[Dario]

Never seen one but I know Billy was raving about it when he came to visit.

Nice pens!

 

[mike_l]

Unusual wood. Looks great!
Mike L

 

[alamocdc]

Nice, Fred! The large planks I saw were from a large rather twisted log and the grain was amazing. Thanks to Kevin, I found a source for some from AZ, but the log was from a straight piece and the guy said it was rather bland. I'll find some like I want one day.

 

[Thumbs]

I had gotten some Juniper off eBay last year which looked very similar to this with a bit more red and darker. It made some beautiful pens and was nice to work with, too!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Juniper is closely related to eastern aromatic red cedar. And the description in the link could be used, word for word, for cedar. Except for the sapwood, cedar is much redder.