If you haven’t been to Tyler Arboretum yet, you should. It’s absolutely magical. One of the oldest arboreta in the northeastern U.S., Tyler Arboretum encompasses 650 acres of renowned plant collections, heritage and champion trees, historic buildings and 17 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows. Open to the public 362 days a year.

We’ve been fortunate enough to work/experiment with some wood from Tyler Arboretum recently. Kentucky Coffee Tree. Totally new to us. This wood is warm & welcoming and a bit temperamental when drying. Finished with Betty’s board butter (beeswax & food safe mineral oil).

Espresso (photos 1-2): This natural edge bowl is approximately 4.5”-5” in diameter x 1.75-3.25”.

Starburst (photos 3): This Natural Edge Coffee Tree Bowl is approximately 4-4.25” in diameter x 3.25-4.5” deep.

Kentucky Joe (photos 2, 4): 4.25” in diameter x 2”-2.25” deep.

Enos (photos 5): Approximately 5” in diameter x 3 5/8” deep with a small fissure and indentation in the bottom of the bowl where the center of the branch would have been.

Hannah (photo 6): Approximately 5” in diameter x 2.5” deep with a tiny fissure at the bottom.

Tyler (photo 7: Approximately 4.75” tall x 5” in diameter with a few stable hairline cracks near the bottom of the bowl.

Trunk (photo 8): Approximately 5” in diameter x 6.75” deep with a tiny fissure at the bottom where the center of the branch would have been.

Jacob (photo 9) : This bowl is approximately 4.5“ in diameter x 2” deep with a small fissure at the bottom.

Minshall (photos 10): This bowl is approximately 4.75“ in diameter x 4.25” deep with a small fissure at the bottom.

Ann (photo 11): This bowl is approximately 4.75“ in diameter x 2.25” deep with a small fissure and indentation in the bottom where the center of the branch was.

Cherry Blossom (photos 12): This beautiful bowl was turned from a small crotch of cherry tree from Tyler Arboretum. Approximately 4.25” in diameter x 2.5” deep.

Roundel (photo13): Approximately 5.25” in diameter x 4” deep with all its original cracks, knots and character.

Wil O' the Wisp (photos 14-15): and Wisp: (photo 16): These beautiful bowls were turned from the historic Painter Gingko at Tyler Arboretum. The ginkgo tree is often referred to as a living fossil. Dating back 200 million years, it is the only living tree species that shared the landscape with dinosaurs. The Painter Ginkgo is nearly 200 years old and was planted by the Painter brothers somewhere between 1840-1860. This particular tree, which grows behind Lachford, is also a former state champion. Wil O’ the Wisp is approximately 8” in diameter x 4.5” deep. Wisp is approximately 6-6.25” in diameter x 2.75” deep.