What wood is this?

[Stephen Jones]

It looks like Pawlonia wood.

[Ben Bullock]

I don't think it's paulownia wood. Paulownia wood is very light, it's like balsa wood. This stuff is very heavy.

[Joe Bemier]

Well, you might well know these things but I believe Japanese would be grateful for two things-

• That you took some

• That you left some.

[P. van Rijckevorsel]

"Ben Bullock" schreef

*** It is a ring-porous hardwood. It is not ash (no way). Elm (/Ulmus/) is an option, but so is /Zelkova/. PvR

[Ben Bullock]

Thanks for the input. I think I might take the photos to the lumber yard and just ask them.

[P. van Rijckevorsel]

"Ben Bullock" schreef

*** Yes, that is the practical thing to do. PvR

[Ben Bullock]

I've got a tentative answer from a wood expert which is that as far as he can tell from the photos it is Zelkova wood, or keyaki.

Thanks very much to everyone who looked at the photos and suggested an answer. It's been a learning experience for me.

[P. van Rijckevorsel]

"Ben Bullock" schreef

*** Thank you for letting us know. That certainly is an option, although in this case it is not really possible to 100% certain identify this wood from a picture only. But if the local experts think this is likely to be it then it is likely to be so. PvR

[Ben Bullock]

That's what he said too.

I'm pretty sure this person knows what he's talking about.