Tasmanian Myrtle

Myrtle is a rich red to reddish brown. The grain is straight to slightly interlocked, sometimes wavy and the texture is very fine and uniform, often displaying nice subtle flames. The paler sapwood is separated from the heartwood by a zone of intermediate colour, which works very nicely as a centre strip feature on guitar backs.

It is also known as Beech, Myrtle as it belongs to the same family as the beech tree of Europe, or Australian Cherry because of the similarity to the American Cherry.  It grows in the wet forests across Tasmania and requires moist and sheltered conditions. 

Myrtle is highly valued for its rich colours and the figured and quilted Myrtle are eagerly sought after by luthiers for various uses in musical instruments.

These beautiful pieces of timber are quarter sawn, and book matched.


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