About Our Woods

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American Ash

• Botanical Name Fraxinus americana
• Other names Canadian White Ash, American White Ash, Red Ash
• Grows in North America
• General characteristics Grayish-brown to red; straight grain with coarse, but even texture.
• Working properties Moderate dulling effect on tools, can be worked well with both hand and machine tools. Polishes, stains and glues well.
• Uses Sports equipment (bats, cues, oars), handles, church pews, bent parts for boat building, cabinet work, plywood manufacture and veneers.

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Basswood

• Botanical Name Tilia americana
• Other names American Linden, American Lime, Lime Tree, Linn.
• Grows in Eastern Canada and U.S.A.
• General characteristics Creamy white to pale brown, straight grain and fine, even texture.
• Working properties Slight blunting effect on tools. Nails, screws and glues well. Stains and polishes well.
• Uses Hand carving, turning, piano keys, drawing boards, toys, picture framing, boxes, crates, constructional veneer and plywood.

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Balsa

• Botanical Name Ochroma pyramidale
• Other names Guano, Lancro, Polka, Topa, Tami
• Grows in West Indies, Central America, tropical South America, particularly Ecuador
• General characteristics White to pale brown with fine, soft texture and a straight and open grain. The lightest of commercially available woods, possessing a high buoyancy.
• Working properties Easy to work with, blunting effect is slight. Easily nailed or screwed, but gluing is best method of fixing. Accepts finishes well, but absorbs much material in the process.
• Uses Rafts, lifebelts, protective packaging, toys and model making.

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Beech (European)

• Botanical Name Fagus Grandifolia
• Other names None
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown with straight grain and a fine, even texture.
• Working properties Works well with hand and machine tools, but tends to bind on the saw and burn in crosscutting and drilling. Nails and glues well. Stains and polishes well.
• Uses Cabinet and furniture making, flooring, turnery, interior joinery, handles and veneers.

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Birch (Yellow)

• Botanical Name Betula papyrifera
• Other names Paper birch, White birch, American Birch.
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown heartwood, light yellow sapwood. Straight, close-grained with fine, even texture.
• Working properties Glues well with care, takes stain and polish well.
• Uses Furniture, high-grade joinery and flooring, toys, spools.

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Bloodwood

• Botanical Name Brosimum Paraense
• Other names Muirapiranga, Boise Satiné, Satine Rubane, Cardinal Wood.
• Grows in Tropical America
• General characteristics Gray-red to deep rich red heartwood and variegated yellow and red stripes .
• Working properties Hard wood, holds screws well; glues, stains and polishes well.
• Uses Furniture and cabinetmaking, marquetry, fancy boxes, turnery.

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Canary

• Botanical Name Centrolobium
• Other names None
• Grows in Brazil, Bolivia
• General characteristics Yellow to orange with streaks of red, purple and black; medium texture.
• Working properties Easy to work. Turns well, takes a high natural polish.
• Uses Furniture, doors, flooring, interior millwork, turnery.

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Cedar(Aromatic)

• Botanical Name Juniperus Virginiana
• Other names Eastern Red Cedar, Pencil Cedar, Juniper
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown heartwood with an aromatic scent. Soft, straight-grained with a fine, even grain and texture.
• Working properties Can split when nailed, but glues and stains well.
• Uses Lead pencils, cigar boxes, linen and blanket chests, ship building, coffins and interior trim.

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Cedar (Western Red)

• Botanical Name Thuga Plicata
• Other names British Columbia Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Red Cedar
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Heartwood dark chocolate brown to salmon-pink; sapwood is nearly white. Straight-grained with uniform, but coarse texture.
• Working properties Easy to cut or split along the grain. Nails and screws easily and takes polish satisfactorily.
• Uses Posts, fences and poles, shingles, decks, interior finishing

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Cedar(Spanish)

• Botanical Name Cedrela Fissilis
• Other names Brazilian Cedar, British Guiana Cedar, Peruvian Cedar, South American Cedar
• Grows in Central and South America except Chile
• General characteristics Pale pinkish-brown to dark reddish-brown with a straight grain. Has a fragrant scent and is resinous.
• Working properties The presence of gum makes it difficult to stain and polish, but after suitable filling can be brought to a good finish. Screws and nails well, glues satisfactorily.
• Uses Cabinet, furniture, flooring, house construction, boat building, clothing chests, humidors.

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Cherry(American)

• Botanical Name (Prunus serotina)
• Other names Rum Cherry, Whisky Cherry, Wild Cherry
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown heartwood; white to cream sapwood; straight grain and fine texture.
• Working properties Easy to work, strong and durable. Becomes darker and richer with age.
• Uses Furniture, joinery, cabinets, boat interiors, carving

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Cocobolo

• Botanical Name (Dalbergia retusa)
• Other names Granadillo
• Grows in West coast of Central America
• General characteristics Heartwood varies from rich red to variegated yellow and red streaks with irregular black stripes. Irregular grain with fine uniform texture.
• Working properties Works and turns well. Finishes smoothly. Can be nailed and screwed easily, difficult to glue. Stains well.
• Uses Handles, turnery, wooden jewelry

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Cumaru

• Botanical Name (Cerejeira)
• Other names Brazilian Teak, Southern Chestnut
• Grows in South America
• General characteristics Heartwood reddish brown or purplish brown with yellow-brown or purplish streaks; gradually becomes light brown or yellow-brown with exposure.
• Working properties Very hard, making it difficult to saw and bore. Glues poorly.
• Uses Turnery, flooring, handles, cogs and shafts.

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Douglas Fir

• Botanical Name Pseudotsuga menziesii
• Other names Orange pine, Yellow and Red fir, British Columbia Pine, Columbian Pine, Oregon Pine
• Grows in Canada and USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown to orange with straight grain (sometimes wavy or spiral grain), uniform medium texture.
• Working properties Difficult to carve and shape, pre-bore for nailing; screws and glues satisfactorily. Stains and finishes well with preparation.
• Uses Veneer, joinery, laminated arches, roof trusses, poles, piles, ship building, railway sleepers, structural timbers.

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Hickory

• Botanical Name Carya Glabra
• Other names Red or White Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Mockernut Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, Shagbark Hickory
• Grows in S. Eastern Canada and Eastern United States
• General characteristics Brown or reddish-brown heartwood; light brown sapwood; coarse texture with relatively straight grain
• Working properties Bends well, pre-bore for nailing, gluing difficult, stains and polishes well.
• Uses Tool handles, chairs, ladders, sports equipment, cabinetry

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Ipé

• Botanical Name Tabebuia Serratifolia
• Other names Yellow Poui, Hakia, Ironwood, Groenhart, Wassiba, Lapacho, Ébene Vert, Amata Prieto
• Grows in Central and South America and the Caribbean
• General characteristics Olive-brown heartwood with lighter or darker streaks. Straight to irregular grain; fine textured.
• Working properties Very strong, resistant to bending; pre-bore for nailing; screws, stains and polishes well.
• Uses Bridge building, exterior construction, turnery, decking, tool handles, archery bows, cabinetry.

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Jatoba

• Botanical Name Hymenaea Courbaril
• Other names Courbaril, Jutaby, Jatai Amerelo, Jatai Vermelho, Locust, Copal, Marbre, Guapinal, Algarrobo
• Grows in Central and South America and West Indies
• General characteristics Heartwood is salmon red to orange-brown with dark brown streaks. Grain interlocked with medium to coarse texture.
• Working properties Nails poorly, but screws and glues well. Has a moderate blunting effect on tools. Will provide smooth finish. Stains well.
• Uses Furniture, cabinetmaking, turnery and joinery, tool handles and sports equipment, flooring, stair treads, general building construction.

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Lacewood

• Botanical Name Platanus Hybrida
• Other names London Plane, English Plane, French Plane
• Grows in S.E. Europe and West Asia
• General characteristics Heartwood light reddish-brown; straight grained with fine to medium texture.
• Working properties Glues well and stains and polishes with care to an excellent finish
• Uses Furniture and cabinetry, joinery, light construction and paneling, inlay, turnery

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Mahogany(African)

• Botanical Name Khaya Ivorensis
• Other names Nigerian, Benin, Lagos or Degema Mahogany; Ghana, Ivory Coast, Takoradi or Grand Bassam Mahogany; Krala, Mangona, Munyama; Mbaua, Mkangazi
• Grows in Tropical West, Central and East Africa
• General characteristics Heartwood from light to deep reddish-brown. Grain straight to interlocked, texture is moderately coarse to medium.
• Working properties May cause wooliness when planing. Nailing,  screwing and gluing properties are good, may be stained or polished to excellent finish.
• Uses Furniture, cabinetry, joinery, boatbuilding, plywood

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Makoré

• Botanical Name Mimusops Heckelii
• Other names African Cherry, Baku, Makore, Douka, Ukola
• Grows in West Africa
• General characteristics Heartwood pink to pinkish-brown. Sapwood is lighter. Texture is medium with medium fine grain.
• Working properties Excellent finishing, good gluing properties. May cause blunting of tools. Tends to split if nailed, but holds screws well.
• Uses Furniture, turnery, cabinetry, joinery, boat building, veneers.

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Maple (Hard,Rock)

• Botanical Name Acer saccharum
• Other names Hard Maple, White Maple, Sugar Maple, Black Maple
• Grows in Canada and Eastern USA
• General characteristics Reddish-brown heartwood, white sapwood. Usually straight grained, but sometimes wavy figure and a birds eye pattern.
• Working properties Difficult to work with, chips easily – moderate blunting to cutting edges.
• Uses Flooring, furniture, paneling, musical instruments, sports goods, butcher’s blocks, turnery.

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Oak (Red)

• Botanical Name Quercus
• Other names American Red Oak, Northern Red Oak, Southern Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Swamp Red Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Shumard Red Oak, Gray Oak
• Grows in Eastern Canada and USA
• General characteristics Heartwood biscuit to pink colour with reddish tinge. Straight grained, coarse texture.
• Working properties Pre-bore before nailing, can be stained or polished to a good finish.
• Uses Flooring, furniture, veneer

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Oak (White)

• Botanical Name Quercus
• Other names White Oak, Chestnut Oak, Overcup Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Burr Oak
• Grows in Eastern Canada and Eastern USA
• General characteristics Light tan with yellow tint, straight grain, medium to coarse texture.
• Working properties Takes nails and screws well with pre-boring. Stains and polishes well.
• Uses Furniture, cabinetry, barrel making, flooring, pews and pulpits, boat building, ladder rungs, coffins.

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Padauk

• Botanical Name Pterocarpus soyauxii
• Other names Barwood, Camwood, Corail
• Grows in Central and West Tropical Africa
• General characteristics Deep-red to purple-brown. Straight grain, coarse texture.
• Working properties Only slight blunting effect on tools, and machines easily. Nails, screws, glues and polishes very well. Excellent finish obtainable.
• Uses Furniture, joinery, cabinetry, carvings, handles, paddles and oars, flooring.

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Pine (EasternWhite)

• Botanical Name Pinus strobus
• Other names White Pine, Spruce Pine, Northern White Pine, Northern Pine, Quebec Pine, Soft Pine, Weymouth Pine, Balsam Pine, Canadian White Pine
• Grows in Eastern Canada and USA
• General characteristics Light yellow to reddish-brown. Soft, straight grain with even texture.
• Working properties Works easily with hand or machine tools. Has little dulling effect on tools. Good nailing and screwing properties, glues well, takes stain, paint, polish very well.
• Uses Carving, joinery, general carpentry, siding, furniture, musical instruments, ship and boat building.

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Poplar

• Botanical Name Populus
• Other names European Black Poplar, Black Italian Poplar, Robusta, Finnish Aspen, Swedish, French Aspen
• Grows in North America, Europe including the U.K.
• General characteristics Heartwood creamy-white to greenish-gray, but can have dark streaking; straight grained and often wooly; even, fine texture.
• Working properties Only slight blunting effect on tools. Nailing satisfactory, gluing is easy, but staining may be difficult. Surface will take varnish and polish satisfactorily, and paint well.
• Uses Furniture framing, drawers, interior trim, toys, flooring, boxes and crates.

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Purpleheart

• Botanical Name Peltogyne
• Other names Violetwood, Amaranth, Sakavalli, Pau Roxom Nazareno, Tananeo, Armante, Saka.
• Grows in Central America and Tropical South America
• General characteristics Heartwood is deep purple when freshly cut, maturing to a dark brown. Straight grain, but often irregular and wavy.
• Working properties Moderately hard to work with, and has moderate blunting effect on cutters. Pre-bore for nailing; glues and stains well. Use lacquer-based finishes to preserve the colour.
• Uses Turnings, furniture, cladding, house construction, flooring, tool handles, boat building, veneers, marquetry.

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Rosewood

• Botanical Name Dalbergia, stevensonii
• Other names Nogaed
• Grows in Central America
• General characteristics Heartwood is dark brown to purplish with irregular black markings. Straight grained; medium to fine texture.
• Working properties Can be difficult to work and has moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Excellent for turnery. Pre-bore for nailing, varnishes and polishes quite well.
• Uses Furniture, musical instruments, mouldings, turnery.

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Teak

• Botanical Name Tectona Grandis
• Other names Mai Sak, Pahi, Sagwan, Tekku, Kyun, Sagon, Tegina, Tadi, Jati Sak, Djati, Gia Thi
• Grows in Burma and India, S.E. Asia, East and West Africa and the Caribbean
• General characteristics Rich brown with darker chocolate-brown markings. Straight to wavy grained, coarse texture.
• Working properties Severe blunting effect on cutters. Pre-bore to nail; glues, stains well.
• Uses Ship and boat building for decking, rails, etc. Furniture and cabinetmaking, flooring, joinery, garden furniture, veneers.

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Tulipwood

• Botanical Name Dalbergia frutescens
• Other names Pau Rosa, Pau de Fuso, Jacaranda Rosa
• Grows in Tropical South America, particularly Brazil
• General characteristics Cream to straw coloured with irregular streaks of yellow, rose or violet. Fine texture, fragrant scent; straight grain, but more often irregular.
• Working properties Can obtain a high natural finish and can be planed and sanded smoothly. Pre-bore for nailing; glues well.
• Uses Turnery, fancy woodware, cabinets, caskets, jewellery boxes, marquetry and inlay work, veneers.

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Tupelo

• Botanical Name Nyssa sylvatica
• Other names Bay Poplar, Swamp Tupelo
• Grows in Eastern North America
• General characteristics Yellowish or brownish-gray heartwood with lighter coloured sapwood. Fine, uniform texture.
• Working properties Nails well, resists splitting.
• Uses Lumber, veneer, pulpwood, furniture, cabinets, carving.

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Walnut

• Botanical Name Juglans Nigra
• Other names Canaletto, Black Hickory Nut, Canadian Walnut
• Grows in Ontario Canada, Eastern USA
• General characteristics Heartwood dark brown to purplish-black, mostly straight grained; coarse texture.
• Working properties Works easily with hand or machine tools, hold nails or screws well, glues satisfactorily.
• Uses High-quality furniture, cabinetmaking, interior joinery, boatbuilding, musical instruments, clock cases, turnery, carving.

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Wenge

• Botanical Name Millettia Laurentii
• Other names Dikela, Mibotu, Bokonge, Tshikalakala, Awong, Nson-so, Palissaundre du Congo
• Grows in Eastern and Central Africa
• General characteristics Heartwood is dark brown with close, fine black veins. Straight grained, coarse textured.
• Working properties Works fairly well with machine tools. Gluing and polishing may be difficult due to resin in the wood. Nailing require pre-boring.
• Uses Flooring, joinery, general construction work, turnery, veneer.

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Yellowheart/Amarello

• Botanical Name Euxylophora Paraensis
• Other names Pau Amarello, Pau Setim
• Grows in Brazil
• General characteristics Heartwood bright clear yellow; yellowish-white sapwood; medium texture; grain straight to irregular
• Working properties Works and finishes well.
• Uses Furniture, parquet flooring, brush handles, turnery

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Zebrano

• Botanical Name Microberlinia brazzavillensis
• Other names Zingana, Zebrawood, Amouk, Allene, Ele
• Grows in West Africa
• General characteristics Yellow-brown heartwood with streaks of dark brown to black; coarse texture.
• Working properties Works well with hand or machine tools. A belt sander will provide a good finish. Glues well.
• Uses Furniture, cabinetmaking, inlay bandings, marquetry, turnery, carving, paneling