Ultra Violet

[Neil Lawton]

After reading a bit about different timbers fluorescing under UV light and it being able to help with identification the Wood Fairy bought me a UV torch.
It might take you a while but can you spot the Robinia? ;-)

 

[Curly]

Sumac is supposed to be another wood that fluoresces under black light. I have a couple small pieces but alas, no black light.

Pete

 

[Penpal]

Great idea that worked a treat thanks for sharing'

Peter

 

[flexi]

Well you live and learn, I never knew that..... Thanks for that

 

[AllenN]

How interesting, I never knew that. One wonders how such things evolve but then some insects can see in uv so I guess it is not so strange. Interesting chicken and egg discussion as to which came first!

 

[Neil Lawton]

How interesting, I never knew that. One wonders how such things evolve but then some insects can see in uv so I guess it is not so strange. Interesting chicken and egg discussion as to which came first!

I know Kestrels follow urine trails. Interestingly the box says it's a Pet urine, stains, and bed bug detector. It also says it's great for finding Scorpions and authenticating currency!

 

[Frederick]

Well! you live and learn......I wish I had a wood pile maintained by a wood fairy like yours.
Seriously, what a good subject to investigate.......perhaps there is a way of indentifying all woods by varying wavelengths of UV.
Ummm.......interesting

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Neil Lawton]

Well! you live and learn......I wish I had a wood pile maintained by a wood fairy like yours.
Seriously, what a good subject to investigate.......perhaps there is a way of indentifying all woods by varying wavelengths of UV.
Ummm.......interesting

Cheers
Frederick

There is a list on the wood database site of woods that glow with varying colours. Apparently Mulberry can have such a similar grain to Robinia it's hard to tell them apart but Robinia glows and Mulberry doesn't.
Here is some Hickory which looks a lot more yellow than the pic suggests.

 

[Curly]

Is that light strong enough for setting UV resins? If so more uses for you.

Pete

 

[Neil Lawton]

Is that light strong enough for setting UV resins? If so more uses for you.

Pete

I've no idea Pete, it's 395 nanometer wavelength and gives off a little heat.

 

[Pierre]

Back aways in a previous life we used to use the blacklights to find scorpions in the dark in Turkey so we did kneel on them when servicing equipment at night. But check out a gin and tonic

 

[wm460]

If you hadn't said, I would have thought it came from Chernobyl.

 

[Frederick]

Apparently there is a colony (if that's the correct collective noun) of Scorpions living on the SE coast in the UK. They are not very large (thankfully) and live in the crackes of a bricked wall. Not sure if anyone has been stung by one though.

Cheers,
Frederick

 

[Dalboy]

Very interesting Neil not that I will have any fancy wood to need a light. We learn something new everyday thanks for sharing

Apparently there is a colony (if that's the correct collective noun) of Scorpions living on the SE coast in the UK. They are not very large (thankfully) and live in the crackes of a bricked wall. Not sure if anyone has been stung by one though.

Cheers,
Frederick

I have a feeling it was in the Chatham dockyard

 

[Bill Mooney]

We live & learn Neil.