More a shrub than a tree, hawthorn is the quintessential hedgerow inhabitant and if it has ever been layered in traditional hedgerow management may have the most amazingly twisted branches and stem. Because of its growth patterns hawthorn does not have many commercial uses as a hardwood and so can be interesting to carve with. It has a medium brown colour with flecks of lighter colour and clear growth ring patterning. Knots and dead wood can be a problem with a shrubby growth form, as can embedded dead wood through past hedge trimming but the rewards in terms of creating a highly individual piece can be great.
Hawthorn ladle being carved with a Hans Karlson adze
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