Box is common as a shrub in northern latitudes and large pieces are rare. We are lucky to have obtained some English grown timber from the Chiltern Hills at the southern boundary of the shire. Professionally taken down in 2020 and then stored in a dark, airy, temperature controlled building ever since. These pieces, carefully dried on the round without cracking, are ideal for turning lidded boxes including uninterrupted growth rings. If you cut them down lengthwise please go through the pith at the centre and allow the timber several months to stabilise before going further.
The dense, uniform, creamy coloured timber is unusually stable; hence its use for making rulers and scientific instruments, it lends itself especially well to finely detailed or ornate carving.
Dense and stable, yet easy to work, the use of boxwood for turnery and making musical instruments has been recorded as far back as 2000 years ago.
Please note:
- We are not able to despatch this product internationally.