CEDAR, WHITE
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 especially strong, the wood is easy to work and is well suited to outdoor decorative objects. Smaller trees are used for poles and posts. The wood is seldom figured and almost never used as veneer.
Other Names: Arborvitae, eastern white cedar, swamp cedar.
Sources: Canada and U. S.A.
Characteristics: Straight grain; even texture; light brown heartwood; sapNood is white; many knots commonly present.
Uses: Boat building, posts and decorative fencing. Workability: Good.
Finishing: Accepts finishes well.
Weight: 23 Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Inexpensive.
Botanical Name: Sick'mgia ealvadoreneie Chactacote, a hardwood from well-managed sources, grows in the Yucatan and Chiapais regions of southeastern Mexico and Belize. Beautiful and easy to work, it is a wood of intense color and often possesses a gorgeous flame figure. It is recommended to use a finish with ultraviolet ray protectant, since its incredible hue fades with exposure to the sun.
Other Names: Chacahuante; Redwood (Belize)
Sources: Southeast Mexico, Belize.
Characteristics: Fairly irregular grain; fine texture; heartwood: brilliant crimson red; sapwood: cream.
Uses: Furniture, cabinetwork and turning.
Workability: Very good.
Finishing: Accepts finishes well.
Weight: 40-45 Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Moderate.
(H)
Extremely stable when it comes to checking and warping, and exceptionally beautiful, black cherry is one of North America’s finest cabinet woods. However, there is a pronounced variance in color between its sapwood and heartwood, which can sometimes be problematic.
If the two are used side-by-side, finished work may display a discrepancy in color, which will intensify as the wood ages. A good portion of black cherry wood contains gum deposits throughout. Although this does not significantly affect the lumber, it shows on veneers; logs with excessive gum are avoided for veneers.
Other names: American cherry, rum cherry, whiskey cherry, wild cherry, fruitwood.
Sources: Canada, U. S.A.
Characteristics: Fine grain; smooth texture; reddish brown to deep red heartwood.
Uses: Furniture, turning, carving, joinery, musical instruments, boat interiors and decorative veneers. Workability: Very good; blunts cutting edges moderately; good bending properties.
Finishing: Accepts finishes well.
Weight: 36 Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Moderate.
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