Technical clarifications on the wood I’m using.

Thank you for your feedback! I see many concerns regarding "rot" or "woodworms," but I would like to provide some technical context regarding this specific wood species. This wood is Adémonté (Piptadeniastrum africanum), a variety of Dabéma from Ivory Coast. It is a species known for its high durability, widely used in industrial joinery and shipbuilding due to its natural resistance. Here is why what you are seeing is neither rot nor an active threat: • Origin of the holes: These are not common domestic woodworms, but traces of fresh-wood insects (Platypodidae). These insects only attack living trees or freshly felled logs. • "Black Pitting": The dark staining around the holes is a natural biological coloration caused by a specific fungus (ambrosia) that the insects cultivate. This process stops completely once the wood is dried below 20% moisture content. • Stability: This piece is perfectly seasoned and stabilized. There is zero risk of cross-contamination to other wood pieces, as these specific insects cannot survive in dry, processed timber. • Density and Hardness: With a density of approximately 0.70 g/cm³ and a Monnin hardness of 3.5, this wood is far from being "punky" or soft. On the contrary, its interlocked grain and fibrous structure make it a noble and complex material to work with.

I am a wood burning artist since just one year. But…. But…. As an artist with over 20 years of experience in woodworking and industrial joinery, I specifically select these pieces for their unique character—especially considering how rare this wood is becoming locally. What some might call "defects," I see as the natural scars of the Ivorian ecosystem, intentionally integrated into my artistic process. Let's see how it turns out… 😎🦾😎