BIRCH(Origin: North America )Birch is widespread, abundant, and secure globally. The mature tree is usually between 50 and 70 feet (15 and 21 m) high, with a trunk diameter of 12 to 24 inches (30 and 60 cm). The heartwood is described as creamy white in color, often with a brownish central core and a straight grain. The texture is even. There is no characteristic odor or taste.

A natural attractive figure is reported to make birch a very desirable timber for furniture. Wood turning, boring, and mortising qualities are rated as excellent. Birch is reported to polish well without grain filling. It has many common uses such as boxes and crates, veneer, furniture, kitchen cabinets and musical instruments.

BIRD’S EYE MAPLE(Origin: Canada & United States)Bird’s eye hard maple is rather limited in availability and is therefore more expensive. The tree is rather large, and is reported to attain a height of about 80 feet (24 m), with a trunk diameter of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm). The sapwood is white with a reddish tinge. The heartwood is uniformly light reddish brown. The grain is straight but occasionally curly or wavy.Bird’s-eye figure is occasionally present. Flecks caused by insects may also be present in the wood. Various figures, usually scattered throughout hard maple trees are reported to yield decorative veneers including, bird’s-eye and fiddleback. Common uses are for bowling pins, decorative veneer, domestic flooring, musical instruments,& violins.

BLACK CHERRY(Origin: North America)The heartwood varies in color from reddish brown to deep red, or light reddish brown, usually with brown flecks and some gum pockets. The grain is reported to be fine, but material with dark wavy streaks which are described as striking in appearance are frequently found.Finished Cherry wood is very handsome because of its rich luster and reddish brown color which turns richer and darker with age. The wood is used for fine furniture, has a warm look that is reflected in many furniture styles.

BUBINGA(Origin: Central Africa )Trees are reported to be tall, reaching heights of about 160 feet (50 m), with trunk diameters of 40 to 48 inches (100 to 120 cm). The heartwood is light reddish-brown or salmon pink with red or green-brown stripes. Grain is often straight, occasionally slightly interlocked.The wood varies from medium to moderately coarse or coarse in texture. Freshly-cut wood is reported to have an unpleasant odor. It is generally easy to machine, but material containing interlocked grain tends to produce woolly surfaces and requires very sharp cutting edges. Sanded surfaces are reported to be clean and smooth and takes a high polish. Common uses are: flooring, furniture, cabinetmaking, veneer, musical instruments, turnery.

COCOBOLO(Origin: Mexico & West Coast Central America)The heartwood varies from rich red to an attractive variegated appearance of yellow, orange, and red streaks and zones which mature upon exposure to a mellow orange-red. The grain is irregular and variable, but has a fine, uniform texture. It is hard timber weighing from 990 to 1299 kg per cubic metre.This very heavy, tough timber has high mechanical strength but is rarely used for structural purposes. Generally this wood is reserved for fine woodworking including turnings, veneers, and decorative woodcarvings on fine boxes or furniture.

HICKORY(Origin: Canada & United States)The mature tree height is reported to be 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 m), with a trunk diameter of about 24 inches (60 cm). The heartwood is brown or reddish-brown and is marketed under the name of Red hickory. The grain is reported to be often straight, but may be wavy or irregular.The wood is reported to have moderate to severe dulling effect on cutting edges. Turning properties are rated as fairly good. Polishing characteristics are reported to be good. Common uses are baseball bats, fine furniture, handles, skis,& sporting goods.

LACEWOOD(Origin: Australia, India)The mature tree is tall and straight, reaching a height of 100 to 120 feet (30 to 36 m), with a trunk diameter up to 48″ (120cm). The heartwood colour varies from a light pink to a light reddish brown with a silvery sheen, which matures to a brownish color with age. The sapwood is almost white in color.The wood is flaky and speckled with dark flecks, varying from a small lacelike pattern to a larger “splashy” figure. Large and prominent wood rays are reported to produce a distinct and attractive silver grain figure on quartersawn surfaces. The texture is fairly course and moderately hard. It works easily and takes a lustrous finish. It is fairly scarce. Common uses are boxes, furniture, musical instruments, flooring, veneer, construction, inlay, and accessories.

MAHOGANY(Origin: Tropical America)A hard, fine-grained, reddish-brown wood of a large evergreen tree grown in tropical America. It is strong and yet light. It’s distinctive grain makes it very popular.This wood has excellent wood working and finishing qualities. It is used for fine woodworking including turnings, veneers, and decorative woodcarvings on boxes, musical instruments and fine furniture.

PURPLEHEART(Origin: Central America & Latin America)The heartwood is reported to be dull-brown when freshly cut, but it changes rapidly to the vivid and well known purple color. Prolonged exposure to ultra-violet rays of the sun tones down the color to a medium or dark purple-brown.The grain is typically straight. The trees are tall, attaining heights of 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m) and trunk diameters of up to 48 inches (120 cm), but usually between 18 and 36 inches.

WENGE(Origin: Africa)The natural growth range is the open forests of Zaire, Cameroon, Gabon, the southern regions of Tanzania, and Mozambique. It is also found in the swampy forests of the Congo region. The tree is described as medium sized, and attains a height of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 m) and a trunk diameter of 30 to 36 inches (75 to 100 cm).The sapwood is pale yellow or whitish in color, and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. The heartwood is dark brown, mostly black, with fine, closely spaced, very dark veins and white lines. The combination of white bands against the dark wood with black streaks gives Wenge a very attractive appearance. The grain is fairly straight to slightly ropey and the texture is medium to coarse. There is no distinctive odor or taste. Luster is reported to be low. The wood responds well to hand tools.

Sawdust from machining operations is reported to cause dermatological and respiratory problems in some individuals. Common uses are boat building, cabinet making, musical instruments, and furniture.

AFRICAN ZEBRAWOOD(Origin: Africa)The heartwood is light golden-yellow or pale yellow-brown in color, with narrow-veining or streaks of dark brown to almost black, giving a zebra-stripe appearance. The grain is usually interlocked or wavy, which yields a ribbon figure. The trees are reported to be difficult to harvest because they can grow to very large sizes and are often located in inaccessible areas.Trunk diameters are reported to be about 48 to 60 inches (120 to 150 cm). The trees usually have very thick barks, which are removed at felling sites. The wood is reported to work well in most machining operations including, turning, boring, moulding, and routing.