Holly

Holly Color and Appearance

Holly, native to North America and Europe, is a fine-grained hardwood prized for its creamy white, nearly uniform color, often regarded as one of the whitest woods available. Its tight grain and smooth texture make it ideal for intricate detail work, although its density and tendency to warp when drying require careful handling. Commonly used for inlays and marquetry in fine woodworking projects.

Grain and Texture

It has tight interlocked grain, which has a smooth and uniform appearance. It almost has no visible grain pattern

Workability and Staining Characteristics

It is moderately hard and machines well, but can be challenging to stain evenly due to its close grain structure.

Holly Specifications

Common Names: American Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex opaca
Average Dried Weight: 1.48 lbs per board foot
Janka Hardness: 1020 Pounds-Force

What to Commission a Piece?

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Holly Furniture

Here are examples of my custom furniture featuring it as an accent wood.