Palm has been difficult for me to turn, especially cross cut. Looking at the end of the blank the appearence is like holding a bunch of thin spaghetti and looking at the ends. A wood dealer told me to pick the blanks with the most number of circular strands..l.the more the better. the last blanks I picked I used that info and the turning was less difficult. Still haven't successfully turned one that is crosscut.
do a good turn daily!
Don