Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-2, страница 42

Rocky Mehta examining a slice from the bubinga log. Representing his Rockier Woodworking and Hardware partner in this special effort, Rocky oversaw the entire milling process, directing the German staff as they extracted the best possible lumber from the log. The overall value of this lumber is estimated at around $200,000. It is available to woodworkers though Rockier Woodworking and Hardware (www.rockler.com).

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42 April 2008 Woodworker's Journal

potential lumber? The answer was "just about everything." While bubinga is not exactly rare, it is not considered common by any kind of measurement. Adding to this general scarcity was the size of this particular tree. It was huge: both in girth and in height. But as soon as this felled giant was sectioned up, it became clear that this tree was even more special ... its figure, or grain, was exceedingly dramatic — Rocky describes it as a "waterfall" pattern.

One look at the log and Rocky knew he wanted U.S. woodworkers to get a chance at this lumber, but the scope of the project made him think that it would be wise to add a partner to this task. So he contacted Rick White, who, in addition to being a contributing editor for Woodworker's Journal, is also the lumber buying guru for Rockier Woodworking and Hardware.

As Rocky moved a log section to Germany for processing and kiln drying, Rockier joined in the partnership, with the lumber reckoned to be valued at nearly $200,000.

After a long journey, this bubinga lumber is now ready to be made into special projects by North American woodworkers.

Looking to the Future

With the decision to bring this special hardwood back to the U.S.A., Rockler's V.E of Marketing, Scott Ekman, and CEO, Ann Rockier Jackson, decided that while it was important to get this product into the hands of their customers, it would also be appropriate to take some of the money earned from its sale and invest it to support the world's forests. Rockier achieved this goal by creating a plan to donate 10 percent of the profits from their bubinga lumber to the Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program.

The Nature Conservancy works in Africa, South America and in many other rainforests of the world. The Adopt an Acre program is a way of significantly protecting habitat so that in another 400 or 500 years, there can be a tree as impressive and special as the one that is providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to woodworkers.

Join in the Fun and Support a Forest

One thing is for sure, this is a story that you can choose to participate in. If you would like to build something using lumber from this remarkable tree, it is now available from Rockier Woodworking and Hardware. I know that I am going to get my hands on some and build ... something! It likely won't be something really big — but I will take the time to be sure it is beautiful. s-

If you 'd like to get your hands on some of this lumber, go to www.rockler.com and search for bubinga lumber. Or, if there's one nearby, visit one of Rockler's retail locations. And if you'd like to learn more about or donate to the Nature Conservancy and the Adopt an Acre program, check them out at www.nature.org/joinanddonate/adoptanaci;e/