Pear Hawthorn

Color/Appearance: Sapwood is cream colored, with highly variable heartwood (in both width and color). Heartwood ranges from being just barely darker than the sapwood, to dark reddish brown.

Grain/Texture: Grain is straight, with a fine, uniform texture and good natural luster.

Rot Resistance: As most material is composed of sapwood, hawthorn should be considered perishable, with poor insect resistance.

Workability: Generally easy to work, but can be difficult to dry, with warpage and distortion common. However, the wood is somewhat more stable once dry.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with pear hawthorn. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Usually only a shrub or small tree, hawthorn is not a commercial timber. Small pieces can sometimes be found on a very limited, hobbyist scale.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses: Turned objects, carving, and other small specialty wood items.

Comments: Although hawthorn species tend to be rather small—usually not getting larger than a large shrub—the wood can be well suited for smaller projects. Its small pores and medium-high density give it a very fine and even texture not too unlike true boxwood (Buxus sempervirens).