Klarinet Archive - Posting 000301.txt from 1997/02

From: Roger Shilcock
Subj: Re: Buffet Greenlines (fwd)
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 04:02:32 -0500

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 14:58:16 -0600
From: Steve Prescott <mipresc%RUBY.INDSTATE.EDU@-----.UK>
Subject: Re: Buffet Greenlines

>Because of the slash and burn method of land clearing and the extremely
>long period of time to grow blackwood the threat of extinction is quite
>real. I have an old "snowy" copy of the tree of music which is a very
>interesting documentary on the problem. African blackwood is also a very
>sought after carving wood in addition to its other values. I have a book
>mark at home that has much of the same information about blackwood as the
>PBS movie. I will try to remember to post when I get home.
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Mike
>
Mike,

I didn't mean to imply that the possible extinction of grenadilla
is not real. I merely meant that the musical instrument industry is not the
primary factor but rather the victim, regarding the decreased availability
of the hardwood. It is the indiscriminate burning of these acres of land
that is responsible for the inevitable extinction of grenadilla and other
precious plants.

Steve

Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep.Tech./ Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu

Comment:
This is a more complex issue than most contributors may have realised.
For one thing, most trees such as the Dahlbergias which grow in wooded
savanna areas are pretty fire-resistant; these areas have a lot of
naturally-caused fires, because of the prevalence of electrical storms.
For another, there are projects to conserve and replant the trees, though
I don't how effective will (or can) be.
A bit more research is surely needed (but by whom?) into the remaining
stocks of similar related trees - clarinets, oboes etc. haven't always
only been made of blackwood - in fact, a few makers (Rossi?) are still
using other previously fashionable woods. Roger Shilcock