If there ever was a "Texas" wood, Honey Mesquite would be one of the top contenders. This is a love / hate relationship with many Texas ranchers though.
Mesquite is armed with thorns sometimes up to 2 inches long. In the spring, summer and after rains it is covered with fragrant white flowers, and the long bean pods are ornamental as well as providing food for wildlife and livestock. Mesquite is not a rancher's favorite tree: it readily invades overgrazed sites and other disturbed land, is virtually impossible to get rid of, and the thorns injure livestock. However, the foliage, flowers and fruit are attractive, it adapts to almost any soil that is not soggy, it is heat and drought tolerant, it fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides many areas of Texas with shade, fuel and timber where otherwise there would be none.Used as fence posts, furniture, building beams, fuel, charcoal. It also is used as an ornamental tree in the landscaped lawn because of the interesting asymmetrical spreading form.
Another use that comes to mind is Texas BBQ. Mesquite wood is famous for use in those backyard and restaurant BBQ smokers.
As the common name indicates, this species is also a honey plant. The word "mesquite" is a Spanish adaptation of the Aztec name "mizquitl."
The Plains Indians found many uses for the Mesquite. The Apache and Isleta applied the juice from the leaves of honey mesquite to eyelids as a treatment for irritation. The Comanche chewed the leaves and swallowed the juice for an antacid. The Acoma ground the beans into flour and prepared the flour as a mush. They would also cook and eat the beans whole. The Navajo used the wood from honey mesquite to construct bows.As with all of our crosses, there were no stains, lacquers or preservatives used to finish your cross; only a natural oil which is hand-rubbed and polished to enhance the woods natural beauty. When you hold our crosses, you are “feeling” the wood and “seeing” the wood as God created it. No two are alike as boards will vary in color and graining due the environmental conditions it was produced. The shine on the cross is related to the amount of “resin” in the make-up of the wood itself. The more resin the higher the shine.
Crosses are handcrafted in our Palestine, Texas (USA) facility offering the highest quality. Crosses do not require polishing. Holding your cross will allow the oils from your hands to go into the wood and create a soft, patina glow. Never use oil or olive oil on our crosses.
Price noted is for 1 HoldingCross. The picture of multiple crosses is to share with you the diversity of the wood.
Thoughts on Engraving : This wood works well with engraving. Due to its tight grain, engraving comes out clear and precise.
Each cross comes in an organza bag with a StoryTag telling the name of the wood and a StoryScroll which contains suggested prayers, CareGiving stories and other information. We do not offer seconds or damaged crosses. Our crosses are all first quality and handcrafted in our shop by our family.
NOTE : The HoldingCross watermark in the picture does not appear on the crosses. The picture is marked for proprietary reasons.
