This post is part of a blog series revealing the table of contents of upcoming Issue Eighteen. As is our custom, we’ll be discussing one article per weekday in order to give you a taste of what is to come.
The subscription window that includes Issue Eighteen is open now.
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If you aren’t sure about your subscription status, you can reach out to Grace at info@mortiseandtenonmag.com. Keep in mind though, if you are set to auto-renew, you never have to worry about getting the next issue of Mortise & Tenon. Issue Eighteen is coming your way soon!
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Issue Eighteen T.O.C. – Levi O’Brien – “Like the Faces of Old Friends: Characteristics for Recognizing Wood”
If you’re a furniture maker, wood grain is in your blood. You might see a random board in a stack and know it immediately – “black walnut!” or “that’s maple.” But it’s not because you’re analyzing growth structure or ring density – you just know. In the same way that you recognize the face of a loved one without thinking about it, some aspects of wood identification become second nature. But what are all the factors that our senses take in to form that conclusion? And how can we learn to recognize new species – what do we look for?
Author and dendrologist Levi O’Brien teaches tree identification for a living, through in-person and online classes. He’s gained that kind of familial knowledge for a whole host of trees and wood, and in Issue Eighteen, he opens up that knowledge for our readers. Taking a practical approach (no scientific instruments needed), O’Brien looks at the structural elements and physical properties of wood that can make identification straightforward and instinctive. Wood offers a host of input for the senses – if you know how to examine it.
Beginning with a discussion of the way trees grow, O’Brien shows how an understanding of a particular species’ habits can offer a wealth of insight. He shows how the even growth typical of conifers compares with the seasonal patterns of deciduous trees, and how grain structure changes as a result. From differences between heartwood and sapwood to the way rays look from certain angles to considerations such as odor and weight, so many different variables come together to form a solid conclusion. You’ll gain a broad appreciation and understanding of the elements involved in recognizing wood as an old friend.
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