Twice I have had the good fortune to run across boxwwod

First was during a visit to Annapolis MD, home to a whole bunch of 18th houses.
A famous one is the Hammond Harwood house, a beutifully symetrical Georgeian
showpiece.  We vbisitd about 10 years ago qnd as we approached I saw that a crew
was busy cutting down some boxwood at the front door.  I asked what wa sup and
they said that these were planted in the 30’s, but current documentation shows
that there were no foundtion plantings.  I asked if they would save me some - I
pointed to what I wanted - and while we visited the interior they stacked my up
a large armload.  I still have 1/2 of it left.  The biggest piece was perhaps
3-1/2” and because it is not very sgraight, it is hard to get anything out of.
Here are photos of the house with and without my boxwood - click right and left

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/49737809131/in/dateposted-public/

The second place was  my next door neighbor's.  Their house was built as early
as 1795 (at least a part of it).  They took a couple of boxwoods down perhaps 4
years ago and I got more - though not very big.

It has mostly turned into tool handles, toys and some guitar inlays - it stays
pale - but it is very dreamy and creamy to work with.  Some shows no visible
grain.  What did the boxwood trees look like that allowed for those rules made
150 years ago that were a foot long and have stayed straight?

Ed Minch