What is the difference between Cook and Norfolk Pine?
The difference is that Norfolk Pine tends to be all amber with concentric limbs. Cook Pine tends to have a dark center surrounded by amber with nonconcentric limbs. A botanist has suggested that these 2 types of trees have hybridized over time here in the islands. Often what will appear to be a Norfolk will have the “Cook Pine” center. A Cook Pine tree center can be so dense that it is very difficult to achieve translucence that I strive for. Elevation, rainfall and other factors make each tree unique. [Back to the Top of this Page] Why do you use patches and what are they? I patch cracks that are naturally occurring within a particular tree or are caused by the wood drying. I will also use patches to fill bark pockets. The patch I use is called a butterfly patch. The rest of the world refers to this type of patch as Flying Dutchman. This is a traditional Hawaiian style patch. This same patch was used by ancient Hawaiians to repair their food and storage bowls. A bowl with many patches
