Holly timber is a hardwood with a tight grain, used in fine woodworking, musical instrument making, and furniture. It is expensive due to limited supplies and careful handling required. Holly lumber is vulnerable to insects and fungi and can shrink or swell in different conditions. When inspecting lumber, look for clear, even color and no knots or cracks.
Holly timber is obtained from the Ilex orientale tree, famous for its pointed green leaves and bright red berries. Holly wood can be white to cream in color if handled appropriately, and can be used in fine woodworking, musical instrument making, and furniture. Some woodworkers use it as a substitute for woods such as ebony and boxwood if they are unavailable. Holly lumber supplies vary and can be expensive because it is a slow growing tree and many specimens are small, requiring careful processing.
This is a hardwood, known for having a tight, close grain, although it can be prone to developing knots. It is also very heavy and can be difficult to shape with some tools. Holly lumber is commonly chosen for inlays and carvings where the soft tones of the wood will be clearly visible and is usually too expensive for more utilitarian uses. Carpenters may choose to stain, paint or varnish it to protect it or to enhance its natural beauty.
Harvesting and processing can be complex, because the wood is prone to discoloration when exposed to sunlight soon after cutting. Mills can cut and process holly lumber in the winter, when the sun is less likely to come out. They must handle the rough lumber carefully as they dry and process it so it doesn’t bend, split, or develop other defects. Fully seasoned lumber can be expensive due to limited supplies and the careful handling required. For small projects, you can sometimes purchase cut ends, which are discounted because they aren’t full size.
One concern with holly lumber is that it is very vulnerable to insects and fungi. When used indoors, as it often is, this may not be a significant concern because the room should remain dry, leaving the wood healthy. If your holly lumber is likely to be exposed to pests, it may need to be treated to keep them out of the wood. Woodworkers also need to consider the risk of shrinkage, as holly lumber can shrink significantly as it hardens and adapts to a new environment. It can also swell in hot, humid conditions.
When inspecting lumber to see if it is suitable for use in a project, there are several things to look for with holly lumber. The former is clear, even in color with no signs of purple or gray spots, which indicate that it was exposed to sunlight during processing. Lumber should also be checked on both sides and edges for knots and small cracks that can appear in wood that dries too quickly.
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