Waaaaay before that !!
From classical times apple wood was used to make the heads on a stone mason/sculptors mallet ( those with a sort of round head ) when they were carving statues from marble!
The greeks imported it from central Europe 'cos they don't grow apples in Greece.
It appears from ancient texts that it was used because it didn't split and was light enough to do delicate work all day !
Bloody hell the crap that is in the back of ones mind !!
