The photo of Jerry and our dogs was taken right after hurricane Wilma. The tall trees in the background are Norfolk Island Pines, still standing but with less branches. 
Both of these woodturnings are made from a Norfolk Island Pine tree. The blonde piece was turned right after the tree came down. The turning that is darker, was turned weeks later. If the wood lays around to long, it become pithy and it goes back to the curb. Timing is everything.
Norfolk Island Pine is a relative of the Monkey-puzzle tree, a evergreen tree (Araucaria araucana) native to Chile and widely cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental. The symmetrical branches have an unusual angularity and are completely covered by the stiff, overlapping leaves.
