A fine, delicate wood - hairwood

One of the days I received a message from one of my readers saying that he had some hairwood and it would be useful if I wrote about this wood in my series on wood essences. I promised him then that I would do an article for next week. It's been 3 weeks since then and I haven't been able to keep my word. But as better late than never, it's time to talk about hairwood.

The hawthorn is a native tree in Europe and Southwest Asia, but is cultivated in all temperate climates in Europe, North America and Australia. It is practically the most important fruit tree in the temperate zone.

There are over 30 species of hair. The one we are familiar with is Pyrus Communis known as common hair, European hair or Swiss hair. It is the one whose wood is used the most. Pear wood is the most beautiful wood from fruit trees, with a fine, delicate and uniform texture.

In section it has visible annual rings, with no difference between albumen and heartwood, with very many small pores, diffusely arranged in no particular arrangement throughout the annual ring.

The colour is pale pink, salmon or very light reddish brown. It is often steamed to intensify its colour.

Pear wood is used both as solid wood,

as well as veneer,

but it is not a wood that is used intensively in production, because pear is primarily a fruit tree. It is more of a domestic wood, used when the opportunity arises, as pear is a medium-hard wood with little resistance over time. It is, however, easy to process, both by hand and with power tools, it turns well, and has no problems with gluing or finishing. It is used for furniture, luxury items, inlays and is considered by artists to be an easy raw material to work with and to produce beautiful things.

The colour of the hairwood is fairly uniform, rarely showing colouring. When they do occur, however, they enhance the value and beauty of the wood.

The uses of pear wood are very varied, but it is not an "industrial" wood. Its beauty and finesse have been discovered in the past and it has been used to make furniture,

or for making inlays. It is still used to make furniture.

In combination with other essences, they complement each other and the result is not to be underestimated.

The wood is used to make wind instruments or guitars (the back or neck of classical guitars).

A room with hardwood floors has a special air of nobility. It becomes special just by the mere existence of that floor.

As I said, it is highly appreciated when obtaining luxury items. For example, it is used to make special pipes,

of jewelry boxes,

or special bowls.

Pearwood is highly valued by architects and builders because it does not warp over time.

It is a wood without smell and taste. That's why it is used to make objects used in the kitchen, such as choppers, bowls and spoons. Pearwood spoons are highly appreciated not only because they don't affect the taste of food, but also because they are impregnated with oil and become even more beautiful when used.

Although it doesn't smell in its "normal" state let's say, it has a very pleasant aroma when burnt. This is why it is used for smoking meats.

Hairwood is one of those special and rare essences that you wish you could see at least once, feel its texture. It is not a wood that is used intensively, but the skilful hands of master woodworkers or artists always manage to "liberate" objects from it that do not go unnoticed.