Post #503173 by amate on Sat, Jan 9, 2010 8:18 AM

Big T., Jerome, BTS, - Thanks, The marquesan is heart wood of elm - very hard. The birdman and maori are both chinaberry. (not to be confused with chinese tallow) It is considered an invasive "trash" tree. The chinese tallow is also an invasive non-native but likes the wetter conditions along our coastline. I have never carved it. The chinaberry tree presents the carver with many challenges but I use it because it is abundant, free, and has an attractive grain.