The supply of olive wood is rather limited because the main source is pruned branches and trimmings. Every few hundreds or more years, when an olive tree finishes fruiting, the whole tree can be cut down for timber. Olive wood is a rare (and, thus, expensive) material.
What is so special about olive wood?
Many first-time olive wood consumers buy it for its rich blend of caramel tones rippled with dark brown grain, but it is more than it looks. Olive wood is an incredibly dense hardwood that makes it less susceptible to stains, odors, and bacteria. It can be used as cutting boards, dishes, and other common food utensils.
Is olive wood good for making furniture?
With so little of it being harvested, olive wood is frequently used to craft high-end furniture, kitchenware, carving spoons, fruit bowls, and even chess sets.
Does olive wood darken over time?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a cream or yellowish brown, with darker brown or black contrasting streaks. Color tends to deepen with age.
Is olive tree wood good?
As long as olive is dried properly (it has a tendency to check), it is a pleasant wood to work with, although it can be somewhat difficult to cut across the grain. Olive is a favorite wood of carvers and turners.
What can I do with olive wood?
Most commonly, olive wood is used to make small furniture, bowls, cutting boards, eating utensils, boxes, carvings, and other pieces of decorative adornments.
Why olive tree is expensive?
The species is also considered special as the trees have a long lifespan, with some living for over 1,000 years. The bigger the tree in length and width, the higher the price.
How long does olive wood take to season?
Usually the alcohol treatment will dry the rough turned object within 2 weeks which is great, and then you can remount the piece and do the final turning and sanding and finishing.
Is olive wood water resistant?
The natural oils in olive wood make it water-resistant. Add to that the coat of finishing oils and waxes that usually cover store-bought olive wood products, and it is even more water-resistant.
Is olive wood ethical?
Natural Olive Wood upholds ethical principles by providing artisans with a fair wage, selecting trees sustainably, and recycling materials whenever possible. Nonporous by nature and coated in a protective layer of olive oil, Natural Olive Wood products are safe and sustainable.
Is olive wood lucky?
With a lifespan of up to 600 years, Olive trees represent strength, longevity, wisdom, luck, and prosperity. Throughout ancient history, olive branches were offered in religious ceremonies as symbols of purity and benediction.
How do you seal olive wood?
Mineral oil is a safe product that is easily absorbed and doesn’t leave the utensil feeling greasy. Place a small amount of the oil on a soft cloth, rub the oil over the entire utensil and allow it to soak into the wood. After the wood has dried, apply a second coat of oil.
Is olive wood good for knife handles?
Olive wood is also durable and strong, qualities that we all want in our knives. Olive wood is more durable than most of the other woods used for handles. This type of wood is also relatively easy to work, paint and polish; with reliable results.
How is olive wood harvested?
In Greece, the premiere source of high quality, farm-grown olive wood, the law allows harvesting only when a tree’s production of fruit and oil begins to wane. Harvesting is often done simply by pruning the tree to stimulate new growth, not by cutting it down.
What is olive tree used for?
Uses. The olive tree, Olea europaea, has been cultivated for olive oil, fine wood, olive leaf, ornamental reasons, and the olive fruit. About 90% of all harvested olives are turned into oil, while about 10% are used as table olives.
What oil should I use on olive wood?
Mineral Oil
Mineral Oil is the perfect oil to use to care for your olive wood products. Mineral Oil protects and nourishes the wood, preventing it from drying or cracking and prevents the spread of bacteria.
Can olive wood be used as a cutting board?
Olive wood is very hard and smooth, making it a great choice for a cutting board. The unique wood pattern gives each board its own personal character. Being a hard wood means that it is a non-porous wood, preventing it from absorbing and imparting food juices and flavours.
How do you look after olive wood utensils?
Treat olive and acacia wood occasionally by rubbing in a little food-safe mineral oil. Rub a small amount of oil onto the wood using a kitchen towel or lint free cloth. This will keep the wood from drying out and will bring out the natural grain and colouring of the wood.
How much is an olive tree worth?
We found that young olive trees can be as cheap as $50-$100, while more mature trees can cost you upwards of $1,000.
How much is a mature olive tree worth?
You can also purchase olive trees in 24″, 36″, 48″ and 60″ boxes. The 60″ inch size is a mature olive tree and thus costs a lot more – expect to pay around $1,800. There are a variety of companies that grow, sell and deliver olive trees.
How much is a 1000 year old olive tree?
The trees can sell for up to $44,000, a tempting sum in a country with a 25% unemployment rate.