Native Pear

I had to stay and work in south wales this weekend so I nipped to the Timberman in Carmarthen. A small woodworking dealer he also has a selection of wood for sale which isn't large but very reasonably priced. I did very well considering the wife wasn't with me and only spent £90. One item I did pick was a small piece of native pear which is new to me. Nothing like our pear its reddish brown and not tight grained at all. I was thinking of using it for pens but having looked at it again I think it will be too open grained to get a good finish. Anybody used it.

I've found pear can be sensitive to build up of heat with cracks forming if it gets too hot Keith, don't know if this is general to pear or that I just got some dodgy wood.

I turned a piece a few years ago if I can find the pen in my collection I will post a photo for you tomorrow I don't remember having any problems with it and if my memory serves me well it is nothing like out pear and it is darker its also known as woody pear
Woody pear is generally a small tree growing to 5 to 8 m tall, with a short bole that can occasionally reach 30 cm in diameter. Individuals in open spaces can develop a broad canopy of spreading limbs. Trees often have an untidy form, bark is fibrous and flaky. The elliptical or oblong foliage is bright green and has serrate margins. The large woody fruit is pear-shape, hence the common name. Woody pear mostly occurs on sandy soils between the Darling Scarp and the ocean coast. Other populations are found on sandy gravels in the Jarrah / Marri forest east of the scarp's western edge. Although it has a wide distribution, it is a minor species in any of its habitats, large populations are rarely found.

Wood description
Heartwood is a dark reddish colour with a decorative figure. Sapwood is a contrasting pale cream colour. Timber treated with wax can produce a silk finish.

Thanks for the info gents

Funnily enough Keith, i was only looking at a couple of pieces of this wood yesterday that someone had given me, with the word Pear written on them. Both a reddish brown colour, thou none had open grain ...

Sorry its late I just remembered to look for it according to the date its 16 years old

Thats it Woody, same colour and open grain. Yours doesn't look too bad a finish