Apricot Wood Salad Bowl

Apricot wood has a light brown sapwood and orange to blonde to reddish brown heartwood, often textured with irregular banding and dark brown streaking. The wood is dense, heavy, and hard!

I made this bowl using apricot wood from a tree that fell locally in early 2025. I first used a chainsaw to cut a rough round block from an especially beautiful part of the tree. From there I used my wood lathe to shape the block into the bowl pictured here.

I applied a hardy, liquid-safe, food-safe finish to complete the bowl. To clean, use warm water, dish soap, and a gentle brush or sponge. Avoid using metal wool brushes when cleaning and metal utensils when serving. Keep this bowl out of the dishwater please!

Scott’s Comments

This Apricot wood was tricky to turn, on account of its density and hardness. The wood curls produced were small and rigid and the piece required me to sharpen my tools often to keep the wood from tearing out on curved cuts. Most wood has an earthy, dusty, paper-like smell when turning but this apricot had a much more botanical scent. Almost like a handful of wild greens or a bowl of almost-ripe fruit. The wood sanded without hassle and took the finish coats well.

Bowl details

Wood: Apricot

Source: Richmond, VA

Width: 11.25”

Height: 4”

Created: late winter 2025