ZIRICOTE
(H) Botanical Name: Cordia dodecandra A stunning, dark wood, ziricote is easy to work and can be broughtto a very smooth finish. Though difficult 5o dry, once this is achieved …
ZEBRAWOOD
(И) Botanical Name: Microberlinia brazzaviWeneie Distinctive in appearance, zebrawood comes from two species of large trees found mainly in Cameroon and Gabon, West Africa. While it is usually seen as …
WILLOW
(H) Botanical Name: Salix nigra While its European cousin is used most notably in cricket bats, black willow is most frequently used in North America by school woodworking shops; it …
WENGE
(H) Botanical Name: Millettia spp. A strong, heavy, hard wood, wenge offers a familiar combination to the woodworker. It is difficult to work, but delightful to look at. Originating from …
SYCAMORE, AMERICAN
(H) Botanical Name: Fiatanus occidentals Growing to heights that top 200 feet, this species and tulip popar are the largest hardwoods in eastern North America. With its light greenish-gray bark, …
SPRUCE, SITKA
(S) Botanical Name: F/cea sitchensis Sitka spruce, the largest species of spruce, can grow more than 200 feet high with diameters exceeding six feet. Although it is probably most valued …
SPANISH CEDAR
(H) ^ Botanical Name: Cedrela spp. Although many species are marketed under the name Spanish cedar, the most important in the North American wood trade, Cedrela mexiсапа, grows in Central …
SNAKEWOOD
(H) Botanical Names: Piratinera диіапепзіз, syn. drosimum guianensis Its markings, which resemble those on snakeskin, give this small, relatively rare timber its name. Found in limited quantities in Guyana and …
SASSAFRAS
(H) Botanical Name: Sassafras albidum Sassafras, a member of the same family as cinnamon, is best known for its fragrant oil, used for flavoring and scenting, and the tea made …
SAPELE
(S) Botanical Name: Entandropbraqma cylindricum A tree of considerable size, sapele produces logs as great as five feet in diameter. It also yields a range of remarkable figured veneers. This …
ROSEWOOD, INDONESIAN
(H) Botanical Name: Daberqa latifolia Originating in India, this fine wood is the same species as Indian rosewood and is one of the most important timbers in both of its …
ROSEWOOD, HONDURAS
(H) Botanical Name: Pa/berg/a Stevensonii This hard, heavy, durable rosewood is primarily valued in the making of marimba bars and grows only in Belize, the former British Honduras. As supplies …
REDWOOD, CALIFORNIA
(S) Botanical Name: Sequoia sempervirens The fascinating California redwood grows to an incredible size. Native to coastal California and Oregon, it is capable of reaching well over 300 feet in …
PRIMAVERA
(H) Botanical Names: Cybietax donnell-smithii, syn. Tabebuia donnell-smithii Sometimes wrongly referred to as “white mahogany,” primavera is one of the finest “blond” cabinet woods in the world. Because of the …
PECAN
(H) Botanical Name: Carya spp. (primarily Carya illinoensis) A member of the hickory genus, what is known as pecan actually comes from several species of trees whose wood is often …
. PAU FERRO
Botanical Name: Machaerium epp. Sometimes referred to by the generic term “iron - wood,” pau ferro has no significant history of use in North America, despite its similarity to the …
PADAUK, AFRICAN
(H) Botanical Name: Pterocarpus soyauxii African padauk is extremely strong, durable and stable. Though less well-known than the rare Andaman padauk, it compares well, is much more available and is …
OLIVEWOOD
(H) Botanical Name: Olea europaea Grown along the Mediterranean coast, European olive - wood is a comely tree, and yields a fine, attractive wood that emits a sweet scent when …
MYRTLE
(H) Botanical Name: Umdellularia californica Especially well known for its cluster and burl figured veneers, myrtle is a favorite among fine craftsmen for cabinetmaking and marquetry. While it has a …
MAHOGANY
SOUTH AMERICAN (H) Botanical Name: Swietenia macrophylla Not only one of the most valuable timbers in South and Central America, this species is also, without a doubt, one of the …
MAHOGANY, AFRICAN
(H) Botanical Name: Khaya spp. Occurring over a vast region of that continent, African mahogany is an immense tree, capable of growing to 200 feet in height. The wood, available …
MADRONE
(H) Botanical Name: Arbutus menziesii Madrone varies greatly in size, some trees reaching 125 feet in height with enormous branches sometimes stretching out over an area of 10,000 square feet. …
LIGNUM VITAE
(H) ■ Botanical Name: Guaiacum officinale Lignum vitae or “wood of life” received its name for the supposedly curative qualities of its resin. This species, which is extremely slow-growing, produces …
LACEWOOD
(H) Botanical Names: CardweWia sublimis; Greviilea robusta The two botanical names given here denote two related, but separate, species; the name Iacewood is usually used for Cardwellia, while Greviilea is …
. KOA
(H) Botanical Name: Acacia koa Hawaii’s principal timber, koa has for centuries been used fora wide range of construction and woodworking applications. It grows almost anywhere on the islands, from …
KINGWOOD
(H) Botanical Name: Dalberqia cearenela Like most rosewoods, kingwood is heavy and very attractive. Deserving of its regal name, this timber was used in the finest furniture built for Louis …
IROKO
(H) ^ Botanical Name: Chlorophora excelsa Sometimes marketed as African teak, iroko compares favorably with that wood in its strength, durability and stability. In appearance, it is rather less stunning, …
IMBUIA
(H) Botanical Name: Phoebe porosa Imbuia is a rich wood, sometimes beautifully figured, and most commonly seen in North America in veneer and paneling. The wood has a peculiar, but …
HACKBERRY
(H) Botanical Name: Celtis occidentatis blackberry is elastic, shock-resistantand easy to bend, characteristics it shares with elm and ash; it is often used as an ash substitute in the furniture …
GONCALO ALVES
(H) Botanical name: Astronium qraveolene Beautiful, durable and strong, goncalo alves sometimes bears a resemblance to both rosewood and Macassar ebony. It is used for fine applications like knife handles, …
ELM, WHITE
(H) Botanical Name: Ulmus americana White elm is the largest and arguably the most stately elm of all. More so than other elms, this majestic tree was devastated by Dutch …
EBONY, MACASSAR
(H) Botanical Name: Dioepyroe spp. Macassar ebony, unlike black ebony with its intense deep hue, is multicolored, usually more light than dark. Both Macassar ebony and black ebony are used …
DOUGLAS-FIR
(S) Botanical Name: Pseudotsuga menzieeii One of the most widely used woods in North America, and the continent’s most plentiful species, Douglas-fir is highly valued as a construction wood because …
CHESTNUT, AMERICAN
(H) Botanical Name: Caetanea dentata Virtually exterminated by a fungus disease known as chestnut blight, the majority of chestnut now comes from recycled timbers from barns and other buildings that …
CEDAR, WHITE
(5) Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis White cedar is popular in North America for its resistance to decay, it is often used for canoes, shingles and other exterior applications. While not …
