Darin states:


Has anyone out there done anything with lilac? We had some heavy
straight-line winds roar through here Sunday night, and our neighbor
lost a 60-year-old lilac about 6" in diameter. I was cutting it up to
dispose of it for him when I saw that it had the most amazing reddish
purple rings. I managed to salvage about 5' of reasonably straight wood,
and I've tucked it away for the day when I finally buy a bandsaw :-)

(I have no idea what I'll do with it, but maybe I can make some small
boxes or use it for inlay or pen blanks or something. It just seemed too
interesting to toss out.)

The good news: Lilac is said to be easy to work, polishes nicely, turns and
carves well. Color is gorgeous. Good for jewelry, candle holders, small turned
items. Close grained and medium density, basically yellow-cream color with
purple steaks.

The bad news: Difficult to season without checking.

Recommended seasoning method (Useful Woods of The World): split down the center
(lengthwise), remove bark, wax ends, air dry very slowly.

Sounds like a fine wood, but my wife will kill me if I take out any of hers,
all of which are under 2" in diameter anyway.

Charlie Self
"In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence
is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of
office." Ambrose Bierce