Zane Palmer
Although he has worked in the construction trades for most of his life, Zane Palmer had an epiphany when he moved from Michigan to Glenwood, New Mexico in 1991. He was intrigued by the fact that New Mexico was home to such a diverse population of exotic wood. The possibilities this wood had for ... moreAlthough he has worked in the construction trades for most of his life, Zane Palmer had an epiphany when he moved from Michigan to Glenwood, New Mexico in 1991. He was intrigued by the fact that New Mexico was home to such a diverse population of exotic wood. The possibilities this wood had for creating exciting furniture fired his imagination, challenging him to make something beautiful as well as useful. "I have discovered what I was meant to do with my talent. I am so grateful that so many admirers of my work are enjoying being surrounded by the beauty of nature in their homes or offices."
Zane uses the alligator juniper almost exclusively because of its diversity and its availability. "There is no parallel to juniper which has such a natural edge with bizarre twists."
Alligator Juniper is the largest and oldest of the many varieties of juniper growing in the Southwest. Specimen can live as long as 2500 years, although most of the wood used in the furniture is from trees 750-1000 years old. No live trees are ever cut. The trees used have been standing dead for decades, which naturally cures the wood.
The name derives from the bark, which resembles alligator skin. The best specimen grow on the steep slopes of the Mogollon Rim in Arizona, between 4500-6500 feet altitude which makes them very difficult to procure.
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