This piece was a joy to turn. Most pieces are until they aren't. This one was never not. I am calling this Spalted Elm because I am not sure what it actually is and I've already turned a few pieces from this tree and called it elm. Its so soft (and green) so it cuts like butter. It immediately turns this gorgeous brown color and when I finish it with oil it darkens a bit more. I am including a few pics of the last piece I have and it has bark so maybe someone can help me identify it. I did not see the leaves, flowers or seeds because I collected it in December.When I say it was a joy to turn and it cut like butter that is compared to the 15# (maybe 20#) blank I cut from mesquite just before this piece. The mesquite would have been the largest piece I've ever turned but I kept finding punky wood and trying to cut it away. I made sawdust for an hour and a half trying to find solid wood. I ended up with a piece that is about the size of a saucer or small bowl. I am saving it to make a lid for another piece.I wish I had collected more of it. I originally was intrigued by how the trunk almost has a right angle. I think it was a main trunk and a smaller trunk that grew together. While processing it I found a thin layer of bark embedded where it grew together. That would have been disasterous if I had not noticed. I believe it would have blew apart on the lathe while turning.The strange coloration isn't sapwood vs hardwood, nor is the color difference spalting. I honestly don't know what it is or why its like that. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated, especially with identifying it so I can find some more.Another fun feature for this is that the lid was made from the tenon I cut to hold this piece in my chuck jaws. I had been using a recess/rebate to hold the piece in expansion mode but on this one I tried a tenon and used it in compression mode. The finial is made from a piece of mesquite.I am improving the quality of my cuts by sharpening often, very often. The piece is cut from a side grain orientation which means the endgrain of the log swings around twice in each rotation and that is prone to some tear out. I used primarily bowl gouges and a round nose scraper to shape the bowl.The finish is a “Danish” blend of polyurethane, mineral spirits and tung oil. I flooded the piece with it and wiped it off. There are probably 5 coats of the film finish. I haven't applied wax or shellac yet and I may not once it is fully cured. If I do I will update with another pic.Lastly, I am trying new photo shoot set ups and this is indoors with some large tiles and four lights. I have a few more different patterned tiles and I bought a photography backdrop but for smaller items the tile seems to work. Any feedback on the photos would also be appreciated.Here are some more pics of the Spalted Elm Lidded Box. (even if its a different wood species that name is going to stick for this piece and the previous “spalted elm” pieces. As usual, comments and feedback are welcome!
This piece was a joy to turn. Most pieces are until they aren't. This one was never not.
I wish I had collected more of it. 
