Wood Species Guide
Olivewood
Olea europaea
Also called: Olive, European Olive, Mediterranean Olive, Bethlehem Olivewood, Italian Olivewood, Olive Burl
What Olivewood looks like
Creamy yellow to light tan with wild dark brown to near-black streaks and swirls. Contrast is high when fresh and softens a little toward gold with age.
Grain and texture
Fine, even texture with a natural luster. Grain is often interlocked or wildly irregular because most wood comes from old orchard trunks and pruned limbs, which is exactly where the dramatic figure comes from.
Working Olivewood: planing, cutting and gluing
Dense and hard but it machines cleanly with sharp tools and turns beautifully. Expect tearout on the planer where the grain swirls; a drum sander or card scraper is your friend. The natural oils mean you should wipe joints with acetone before gluing.
Finishing Olivewood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes a high polish and looks great with just a hardwax oil or a food-safe oil on kitchen pieces. For epoxy work, wipe the surface with acetone and lay down a thin seal coat first so the oils do not interfere with the cure.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not reliably decay resistant, and it is prone to checking and cracking as it dries, so buy it fully dry. In Florida keep finished pieces indoors and away from sinks that stay wet; oil boards regularly.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Olivewood is mostly available as turning blanks, small boards and the occasional burl, not big slabs, so think boards, bowls and accents. It is one of the best woods for cutting and charcuterie boards because of its tight grain and hardness. We do not stock it routinely, but ask us and we can often source pieces. Check blanks for hidden cracks before you invest hours in them.
Common uses for Olivewood
Cutting and serving boards, utensils, turned bowls, knife handles, small boxes, veneer and keepsakes.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Most commercial olivewood comes from pruned limbs and retired orchard trees rather than forest logging.
Safety and toxicity
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Eye irritation
- Skin irritation
Olive is a reported sensitizer, with eye and skin irritation the usual complaints. Severe reactions are uncommon.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + dust mask when sanding; gloves for sensitive skin
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Severe reactions are uncommon, but olive has been reported as a sensitizer that can irritate eyes and skin. Wear a dust mask when sanding.
Olivewood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Olivewood listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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