Hi Don, Myrtle trees are common in South Carolina, I have three small ones in my yard. About three or four years ago a hurricane came through here and knocked down a lot of trees, people used chain saws to cut them up placed them at the curb so the city would pick them up. I happen to see a chunk of Myrtle about 18” diameter 24” long that wanted to come home with me. I used a chain saw to cut it into billets panted the ends and let them dry for three years. When I cut some small boards and ran them through my planner they shattered, something about the grain makes it hard to plane. I must run the boards thru my surface sander, and they work great.
Dave can probably get some for you, you can search the web for myrtle wood for sale, there is a lot of places that sell it.