CHESTNUT, AMERICAN
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 pre-datethe blight. It has also been available from standing dead trees that have been attacked by insects. The resulting “wormy chestnut” is nonetheless considered an attractive wood that retains chestnut’s natural durability and makes it excellent for outdoor use. Other Names: Wormy chestnut, sweet chestnut. Sources: Canada and Eastern U. S.A.
Characteristics: Porous growth rings result in prominent figure; coarse texture; pale brown.
Uses: Poles, stakes, picture frames, furniture and decorative veneers.
Workability: Generally easy to work; ferrous metals may stain the wood blue; splits easily; medium bending properties.
Finishing: Accepts finishes very well.
Weight: 30 Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Moderate to expensive.
Botanical Name: Diplotropis 5pp.
A hard, heavy timber, chontaquiro amarillo is found in abundance in the tropical forests of Peru and Brazil.
It is a beautiful wood, with a striking figure on both plain-sawn and quartersawn lumber. Used locally as a mahogany substitute, this lesser-known species is beginning to be exported into North America for use in fine furniture and cabinetmaking.
Other Names: Sucupira, sapupira.
5ource: South America.
Characteristics: Straight to interlocked grain; moderately coar se to coarse texture; light to dark brown heartwood; yellowish cream sapwood.
Uses: Furniture, cabinetmaking and a range of construction uses.
Workability: Generally good; does not turn or shape well. Finishing: Accepts finishes well.
Weight: 5& Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Moderate.
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Botanical Name: Taxodium distichum Normally found in wet regions and swamps, bald cypress lumber is truly at home in water. In fact, it is often used in bridges and docks. Old-growth timber is significantly more decay-resistantthan second - growth wood, though both are considered ideal for outdoor use. Mature stands of this species are becoming scarce, and as swamps are drained, it is suffering from a loss of habitat, which will make it increasingly rare as time passes. Bald cypress occa - gionallyyields interesting veneers and paneling.
Other Names: Southern cypress, swamp cypress, tidewater cypress, yellow cypress, white cypress, red cypress, black cypress.
Source: Southeastern U. S.A.
Characteristics: Straight grain; oily texture; yellow - brown to dark brown.
Uses: Joinery, chemical vats and tanks, boat building, poles, posts and many construction applications. Workability: Generally good; keep cutters sharp. Finishing: Accepts finishes well.
Weight: 25-35 Ib./cu. ft.
Price: Inexpensive.
