Holly

Clear Finished

Common Un-Finished

DESCRIPTION	Holly Lumber is generally white in color with its sapwood being more white than the heartwood. Holly features a irregular, very close grain an an even, very fine texture. Weight is about 36lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	North America
BOTANICAL NAME	Ilex Opaca
OTHER NAMES	White Holly, Christmas Holly
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	Holly lumber is a tough, heavy wood and is noted to be hard in all categories.
WORKING PROPERTIES	The irregular grain pattern of Holly Lumber makes it extremely difficult when sawing or planing the wood. With very sharp knives or wood working tools, Holly machines very well.
DURABILITY	Holly lumber offers little to no natural resistance to insect attack and decay-causing fungi. This is of little worry because the uses of holly do not put it at risk of these problems.
SEASONING	When cutting Holly winter is the optimal time because sunlight on fresh cut lumber will cause discolouration. When fresh cut lumber ois allowed to discolor in this manner it is very difficult to get the natural color back.
USES	Piano and organ keys, inlay lines, carving, fine turnery. When dyed black is holly is a fine substitute for Ebony.
COMMENTS	Holly is used in the Eastern United States for its foliage and berries, used for Christmas decorations, and for ornamental plantings.