bitterwood (Picrasma quassioides) belongs to the family Picrasmataceae. When pieces of bitterwood wood are gathered together, their yellow hue is the first thing that catches the eye. But look a little longer, and the differences in form become clearer than the color. Long, straight boards, pieces with bark remaining on both sides, and a round slice with a hollow center draw the eye in different directions. Looking at the same species does not end with identifying a single color.
Fine grain remaining on the straight surface
On a narrow, elongated board, the eye moves up and down along the grain. The fine lines across the surface generally run lengthwise, but up close they bend and overlap slightly. The straight edge provides a point of reference for reading those differences. A small square piece holds the same yellow hue within a much shorter surface. A single line that went unnoticed on a large piece can become the center of attention on a small one.
A rough side and an even upper surface
A live-edge board with bark attached creates a different contrast. Dark, rough bark continues along both sides of the flat yellow surface exposed in the center. From the front, it looks like a long board, but viewed from the end, the outline of its round cross-section appears. Depending on the direction from which the material is viewed, it alternates between looking like a board and a log. The side and end surfaces are just as important to photograph as the pattern on the main surface.
A knot creates a place for the eye to rest on the long surface. A rounded area lies among the lines running straight through, and the pattern changes around it. On another log section, pale bands and deep yellow surfaces appear in long, parallel stretches. Even within the same bitterwood species, the arrangement of color and the position of knots are not identical. Placing the materials side by side makes those differences easier to read.
A round slice where the lines curve away
On a round slice, the eye follows the grain in a circle. An irregular hollow lies within an outer edge that curves around in three directions. Unlike the long lines of a board, the lines on this surface appear to overlap around the hollow. The empty center is not separate from the pattern. The outer and inner outlines come together to create a single form, and even the open space around them becomes part of the material’s impression.
Viewing one piece from several directions
When a board with a section extending to one side is laid flat, different lines appear than when it is stood upright. Not only the length of the surface seen from above, but also the thickness of the side, the split areas, and the shape of the ends come into view. The characteristics of a log cannot all be contained in a single largest surface. As you turn it slightly and change your distance, a part that initially went unnoticed may become the focus of the next project.
The yellow hue of bitterwood is the first impression that ties these materials together. Within it are straightness and curves, smooth surfaces and rough bark, filled areas and empty spaces. If you found the wood by its color, the next step is to examine the forms that wood possesses.
Sotae WoodIN STOCK
Sotae Wood in stock
Check each product page for dimensions and condition. Contact us to confirm international shipping and preparation.
Scientific name and classification: National Institute of Biological Resources, “Biodiversity QR Code: Plants.” Photos: Woodway product photography. Some of the logs mentioned in the article may have already been sold.
