Apricot Burl Thins

.50 x 1 x 8.  .50 x 1 x 4.25

Apricot Wood (Prunus armeniaca) is a beautiful fruitwood admired for its warm golden-orange coloration, rich reddish-brown heartwood, fine texture, and distinctive natural grain. Closely related to Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Almond, Apricot belongs to the Prunus genus and offers many of the attractive qualities that make fruitwoods popular among woodturners and specialty craftsmen.

Apricot heartwood may display golden yellow, orange, amber, reddish brown, and warm chocolate-brown tones, often accented by darker streaks or irregular grain patterns. Its naturally rich coloration makes it especially appealing for custom pens, knife handles, bottle stoppers, game calls, small bowls, jewelry, and decorative turning projects.

Because Apricot trees are primarily grown for fruit rather than commercial lumber production, larger boards are relatively uncommon. Much of the wood available to craftspeople comes from orchard removals, pruning, or individual trees.

For woodturners who appreciate colorful domestic and orchard-grown hardwoods, Apricot offers distinctive character and an attractive alternative to more familiar species.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Prunus armeniaca L.

Family: Rosaceae

Genus: Prunus

Species: Prunus armeniaca

Wood Type: Temperate fruitwood hardwood

Native Origin: Central Asia and surrounding regions

Cultivated In: North America, Europe, Asia, and other temperate growing regions

Apricot belongs to the same botanical genus as Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Almond.

Common & Trade Names

Apricot, Apricot Wood, Apricot Hardwood, Apricot Fruitwood, Apricot Turning Wood, Apricot Wood Blanks, and Prunus armeniaca.

The name Apricot generally refers to the cultivated fruit tree Prunus armeniaca, although other related Prunus species may occasionally be called wild apricots.

Origin & Distribution

Apricot has a long history of cultivation across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Although its precise original domestication history is complex, the species is associated with Central Asia and neighboring regions.

Today, Apricot trees are cultivated in many temperate and Mediterranean-type climates for their edible fruit.

Unlike commercially grown timber trees, Apricot trees are usually relatively small and often develop branching, irregular trunks.

This growth habit can produce attractive grain movement, color variation, and occasional natural figure.

Because the wood is generally obtained in smaller quantities, Apricot is especially well suited to specialty woodworking and small turning projects.

Color & Appearance

Apricot is admired for its warm, vibrant natural coloration.

Heartwood may display:

Golden yellow

Honey gold

Warm orange

Amber

Reddish orange

Reddish brown

Medium chocolate brown

Occasional darker streaks

The sapwood is generally lighter, ranging from cream to pale yellow.

Some pieces show relatively even coloration, while others display strong contrast between golden, orange, and darker brown areas.

Irregular growth and branching may produce swirling grain, darker streaking, or attractive natural patterns.

Clear finishes can deepen the wood's warm colors and emphasize its grain.

Grain & Texture

Apricot generally has a fine, even texture with grain that may be straight, irregular, or interlocked.

Common characteristics include:

Fine texture

Close, relatively uniform grain

Straight to irregular grain

Occasional swirling or figured patterns

Warm natural color variation

Smooth polishing potential

Moderate natural luster

Apricot's fine texture makes it particularly appealing for small turned objects where a smooth surface is desirable.

Pieces cut near branches, crotches, or irregular growth areas may feature more complex grain patterns.

Wood Characteristics

Apricot is generally considered a hard, dense fruitwood, although published mechanical property data are less standardized than for widely traded lumber species.

Representative characteristics include:

Wood Type: Dense temperate fruitwood

Average Dried Weight: Variable; a dependable standardized value is not established for this listing

Specific Gravity: Varies with growing conditions and moisture content

Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific figure not established here

Grain: Straight to irregular

Texture: Fine and even

Natural Luster: Moderate

Color: Golden orange to reddish brown

Individual pieces may differ considerably in density, grain, and hardness.

Stability & Durability

Apricot can be a rewarding wood for turning, but careful drying is important.

Like many fruitwoods, Apricot may be prone to checking, cracking, and movement if dried too quickly.

Logs and freshly cut blanks may contain internal stresses, especially near branches or irregular grain.

For best results:

Dry wood slowly and evenly.

Seal freshly cut end grain when appropriate.

Avoid rapid changes in temperature and humidity.

Allow blanks to acclimate before final machining.

Inspect wood for checks before turning.

Properly dried Apricot can perform well in interior decorative projects.

It is not generally selected for applications requiring high natural decay resistance or prolonged outdoor exposure.

Workability & Woodturning

Apricot is an attractive wood for turning because of its fine texture, warm color, and ability to develop a smooth surface.

Sharp tools can produce clean cuts, although irregular grain and dense areas may require additional care.

Working considerations include:

Use sharp turning tools and cutters.

Take controlled cuts around irregular grain.

Inspect blanks for drying checks.

Drill carefully to avoid overheating.

Sand progressively for a smooth surface.

Allow wood to reach suitable moisture content before precision work.

Apricot is particularly appealing for:

Custom pens

Pen turning blanks

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Small bowls

Decorative vessels

Jewelry

Small boxes

Custom handles

Ornaments

Specialty woodworking accents

Its natural orange and reddish-brown tones make it especially attractive for projects where color and grain are important.

Finishing

Apricot can develop a beautiful polished finish that enhances its natural warmth.

Suitable finishing options include:

Cyanoacrylate (CA) finishes for pens

Shellac

Lacquer

Polyurethane

Hardwax oils

Danish oil

Selected oil finishes

Wax and polishing compounds

Clear finishes often deepen the wood's golden-orange and reddish-brown coloration.

Oil finishes may create a warm, natural appearance, while film-building finishes can provide additional surface protection.

For projects involving direct food contact, choose a finish appropriate for the intended use and follow the manufacturer's curing instructions.

Testing the finish on a small area is recommended.

Ideal Uses

Apricot wood blanks are excellent for:

Pen blanks and custom pens

Knife handles and knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Small decorative bowls

Jewelry and accessories

Small boxes

Custom handles

Ornaments

Decorative woodturning

Fine carving

Specialty woodworking

Artistic and collectible projects

Because Apricot is typically available in smaller pieces, it is particularly well suited to compact projects that showcase its rich natural color.

Health & Safety

Apricot wood dust may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Potential concerns include:

Skin Irritation: Wood dust may cause itching, redness, or dermatitis.

Respiratory Irritation: Fine airborne particles may irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.

Eye Irritation: Dust may cause redness or discomfort.

Sensitization: Repeated exposure may increase sensitivity in susceptible individuals.

When cutting, sanding, drilling, or turning Apricot:

Use effective dust extraction.

Wear properly fitted respiratory protection appropriate for fine wood dust.

Use eye protection and a face shield when turning.

Avoid prolonged skin contact with accumulated dust.

Maintain good workshop ventilation.

Clean dust using extraction rather than compressed air.

Additional Note: Apricot pits, seeds, and certain other plant parts contain cyanogenic compounds. This should not be confused with a claim that ordinary, properly handled Apricot wood is equivalently toxic. Standard wood-dust precautions remain appropriate.

CITES & Conservation

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is not generally listed under CITES.

The species is widely cultivated for fruit production and is not primarily harvested as a commercial timber species.

Apricot wood may come from orchard removals, pruned trees, or other small-scale sources.

Applicable regulations can vary by location, particularly for untreated wood shipped internationally.

Responsible sourcing and compliance with relevant agricultural and trade requirements remain important.

Interesting Facts

A Member of the Cherry Family: Apricot belongs to the genus Prunus, along with Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Almond.

Beautiful Orange Heartwood: Apricot can display naturally vivid golden-orange and reddish-brown tones.

Orchard-Grown Hardwood: Much of the wood available for woodworking comes from trees originally cultivated for fruit.

Unique Grain Patterns: Branching and irregular growth can create swirling grain and attractive figure.

Fine Polishing Potential: Apricot's fine texture makes it well suited to smooth, decorative turnings.

Small-Project Favorite: Its relatively limited commercial lumber availability makes it especially appealing for pens, handles, ornaments, and specialty woodworking.

Why Choose Apricot Wood?

Apricot combines warm golden-orange coloration, rich reddish-brown tones, fine texture, and beautiful natural grain in one distinctive fruitwood.

Its attractive color variation and smooth finishing potential make it an excellent choice for craftsmen who appreciate the character of orchard-grown hardwoods.

For pen makers, knife makers, woodturners, and fine woodworkers, Apricot offers a beautiful alternative to more commonly used domestic and exotic hardwoods.

Whether you're turning a custom pen, crafting a knife handle, making a bottle stopper, or creating a decorative piece, Apricot provides natural warmth and distinctive grain.

Oakbrook Wood Turning Supply offers Apricot Wood for craftsmen seeking attractive fruitwood blanks with rich color, fine texture, and excellent decorative potential.

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