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Wood Species

African Blackwood

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Latin name: (Dalbergia melanoxylon)
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: East Africa
Description: Dark brown / black color with a white sapwood, straight grained with fine oily texture. Very hard and dense (75 lb/ft3).
Working properties: Easy to work despite hardness, takes a first class finish. Recommended to pre-drill holes when screwing and nailing. Tungsten carbide recommended due to rapid blunting effect on tools. Produce a great end result when finished and polished.

African Mahogany

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Latin name: Khaya spp.
Family: Meliaceae
Distribution: Mostly West Africa, also including Central and East Africa
African Mahogany covers all species of Khaya with varying weights between 33 lb/ft3 to 50 lb/ft3
Khaya Ivorensis is the most sought after due to its stability and working properties
Description: Heartwood is distinctly pink when freshly sawn, but when seasoned varies in color from light pinkish-brown to a deep reddish shade; the yellowish-brown sapwood is not always clearly demarcated. Interlocking grain and coarse texture.
Working properties: Reduction of cutting angle to 15 degrees helps reduce pick up on surface of board. Glues and works easily. Takes a high polish and good finish.

African Padauk

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Latin name: Pterocarpus soyauxii
Family: Leguninosae
Distribution: West Africa
Description: Heartwood varies from blood red streaks to bright orange (when freshly cut), sapwood is a pale yellow color (41 lb./ ft3). Straight grained with some interlocking, texture is moderate to coarse.

Working Properties: Easy to work, glues well and takes a first class finish. Recommended to work in a well ventilated area as the dust is very fine.

Amazakoue

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Latin name: Guibourtia ehie
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: West Africa
Description: Dark yellow to brown with black stripes (similar to Zebrawood), Medium texture with an interlocking grain (49 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Due to silca presence has a moderate blunting effect on tools. Nails, screws and glues very well and achieves a high finish when polished.

Amboyna Burl

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Latin name: Pterocarpus indicus
Family: Leguminosae
Also known as New Guinea Rosewood
Distribution: East Indies
Description: Heartwood varies from light yellow, through golden brown to brick red in color. The grain is wavy, interlocked or crossed and these irregularities give rise to mottle, fiddle back, ripple and curly effect of figure. The wood has a very distinct odor and the texture is moderately fine. (41 lb / ft3)
Working Properties: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools with little dulling effect on cutters. Can be nailed, screwed, glued and stained satisfactorily and takes a first class polish.

Aromatic Cedar

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Latin name: Juniperus virginiana
Family: Cupressaceae
Distribution: Eastern N. America
Description: Heartwood is puple brown  to reddish in color, with the sapwood being a light creamy color. Knots are common in the lumber. (33 lbs/ ft3)
Working Properties: Due to it’s light density, it is an easy wood to work, however since it does have silica content, it does cause blunting of cutting edges on tools.

Ash

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Latin Name: Fraxinus americana
Family: Oleaceae
Distribution: Eastern N. America
Description: Heartwood is light to medium brown in color and the sapwood tends to be a creamy beige or light brown which is not always distinguishable from heartwood. (42 lbs/ft3).
Working properties: Relatively easy to work with good finishing properties. Responds well to steam bending and glues up easily. Takes a stain well.

Basswood

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Latin name: Tilia americana
Family: Malvaceae
Distribution: Europe, Eastern N. America and Asia
Description: Heartwood is a creamy light color which is uniform throughout the boards. (26 lb/ft3).
Working properties: Since this wood is very light in density, it is a great choice for woodcarving. It does not respond well to steam bending but does glue up and finish well

Blackwood Acacia

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Latin Name: (Acacia melanoxylon)
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Southern Africa and Australia
Description: Color range dark golden brown with black streaking to a pale brown with some red. Straight grained with even texture some interlocking grain (40 lbs/ft3).
Working properties: Moderate blunting effect on tools, easy to work & excellent finishing properties

Bloodwood

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Latin Name: Brosimium paraense
Family: Moracae
Distribution: Range is tropical America
Description: Color is usually deep red with ribbon figure in quarter-sawn Grows to 90 feet height and 24 inches in diameter. Density is 5.5 lbs per bf. Hard. Poor steam bending properties.
Uses include furniture, case goods, turnery, flooring, veneers for panels

Bocote

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Latin name: Cordia elaeagnoides
Family: Boraginaceae
Distribution: Central America
Description: Has a light golden yellow to brown color with black streaks. Tight grained and dense (51 lb./ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate to severe blunting effect on tools, can be finished to a high lustre

Bolivian Rosewood

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Latin name Machaerium villous
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Range is tropical South America.
Description: Color can range from lighter pink to deep purple with black veins. Trees grow to over 100 ft. Density averages 4.5 lbs per bf. Hard. moderately bendable. Not regarded as a “true” rosewood
Uses include joinery, turnery, handles and veneers.

Brazilian Cherry

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Latin Name: Hymenaea courbaril
Family: Legumiosae
Distribution: Range is Central and South America .
Description: Color is reddish to golden brown. Grows to over 100 ft tall. Density is approx 5 lbs per bf very hard. Stable in use, and good bending properties.
Uses include flooring, joinery, stairs, boats, turnery. Naturally resistant to termite infestation.

Bubinga

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Latin name: Guibourtia spp.
Family: Leguminosae
Other Names: African Rosewood, Kevazingo
Distribution: West and Central Africa
Description: Heartwood is a light red brown attractively veined with pink or red stripes; the sapwood is white in color (50 lb./ ft3).
Working Properties: Interlocking irregular grain may pick up, moderate to severe blunting effect may occur. Nailing & screwing requires pre-boring, stains easily and achieves a very high well polished finish.

Canarywood

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Latin name: Centrolobium spp.
Family:
Distribution: South America
Description:. Color varies from a orange brown to pale yellow, medium texture and at times irregular grain (48lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Overall easy to work, glues, nails, screws easy and takes a good finish

Cherry

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Latin name: Prunus serotina
Family: Rosaceae
Distribution: Eastern N. America
Description: Freshly cut Cherry has a pale orange / pink hue. Since it is a photosensitive wood, as it gets exposed to light it will change into a darker orange / brown color (35 lb./ ft3).
Working Properties: The grain is straight and stable, which makes it easy to work. It glues well and takes a first class finish. It can be temperamental with stains.

Cocobolo

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Latin name: Dalbergia retusa
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Central America
Description: Ranges in color from a light orange to darker red with purple and black streaks. Tight grained, at times interlocking and very dense (68 lb./ft3).
Working Properties: Oily and dense which can gum up sand paper and dull blades. Can be polished up to a high sheen

Ebiara

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Latin Name: Berlinia spp.
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: West Africa
Description: Heartwood ranges from a reddish pink to light brown with dark stripes. Has an irregular & interlocking grain. Medium density (45 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Moderate blunting of tools due to the irregular / interlocking grain. Polishes and finishes well

Ebony

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Latin name: Diospyrus crass flora
Family: Ebenaceae
Distribution: Cameroon, Congo & Gabon
Description: Color is jet black with some gray streaking, younger trees yield a beautiful brown and black tiger stripe. Straight grained with some interlocking, has a very fine texture. (64 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Prone to checking and cracking, severe blunting of tools. Glues well, should be pre-bored before screwing or nailing. Polishes to a very high finish produce an excellent end result.

Honduran Rosewood

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Latin name: Dalbergia Stvensonii
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Central America
Description: Red into Brown color with black streaks. Similar to Cocobolo in irregular & interlocking grain .Tight grained and dense (59 lb./ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate to severe blunting of tools, will gum up sand paper due to oiliness in wood but can be polished to a high finish.

Honduras Rosewood

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Latin name: Dalbergia Stvensonii
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Central America
Description: Red into Brown color with black streaks. Similar to Cocobolo in irregular & interlocking grain .Tight grained and dense (59 lb./ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate to severe blunting of tools, will gum up sand paper due to oiliness in wood but can be polished to a high finish.

Jatoba

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Latin Name: Hymenaea courbaril
Family: Legumiosae
Distribution: Range is Central and South America .
Description: Color is reddish to golden brown. Grows to over 100 ft tall. Density is approx 5 lbs per bf very hard. Stable in use, and good bending properties.
Uses include flooring, joinery, stairs, boats, turnery. Naturally resistant to termite infestation.

Kiaat

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Latin name: Pterocarpus angolensis
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: Eastern & southern Africa
Description: Closely related to Padauk & Narra. Heartwood is a medium to light brown with darker streaks and tones of red. (40lbs/ft3). Decorative character is sometimes enhanced by irregularly interlocked grain.
Working Properties: By far one of the easiest woods to work , ranks highly with turners and furniture makers due to its ease to plane, sand, glue, nail & screw. Polishes up to a high finish and gives excellent results using even the most simple of finishes.

Leopardwood

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Latin name: Roupala Brasilensis
Family: Proteacea
Distribution: Range is South America
Description: Reddish brown with flecked surface on the quarter sawn. Coarse texture and medium hardness. 5.5 lbs per bf.
Uses include decorative joinery, flooring, furniture & veneers.

Marblewood

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Latin name: marmaroxylon racemosum
Distribution: South America
Description: The Heartwood is an orange / yellow color with black wavy streaking that gives it a marble appearance, grain is interlocked and coarse textured.
Working Properties: Moderate blunting of tools, turns well but a sharp edge is recommended.

Mopani

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Latin name: Colophospermum mopane
Family: Fabaceae
Distribution: South East Africa
Description: Varying shades of brown through red, very dense and heavy with a fine texture and even grain (68lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Machines very well despite hardness. Produces a great end result when finished and polished.

Narra

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Latin name: Pterocarpus indicus
Family: Leguminosae
Also known as New Guinea Rosewood
Distribution: East Indies
Description: Heartwood varies from light yellow, through golden brown to brick red in color. The grain is wavy, interlocked or crossed and these irregularities give rise to mottle, fiddle back, ripple and curly effect of figure. The wood has a very distinct odor and the texture is moderately fine. (41 lb / ft3)
Working Properties: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools with little dulling effect on cutters. Can be nailed, screwed, glued and stained satisfactorily and takes a first class polish.

Olivewood African

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Latin name: Olea europae & Olea hochstetteri
Family: Oleaceae
Distribution: Southern Europe, middle East & Eastern Africa as far south as the northern parts of South Africa.
Description: Light to medium brown with streaks of black and darker brown running through it. Of the various Olivewood subspecies, the African tends to have the more vibrant veining. Has a fine texture with a shallow interlocked grain giving it a marble appearance (55lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate blunting effect on tools with interlocking grain. Glues well and it is recommended to pre-bore before nailing or screwing. Polishes up well and gives a smooth even finish.

Olivewood Bethlehem

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Latin name: Olea Europae
Family: Oleaceae
Distribution: Middle East (Bethlehem)
Description:. Light to medium brown with streaks of black and darker brown running through it. Has a fine texture with a shallow interlocked grain giving it a marble appearance (55 lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate blunting effect on tools with interlocking grain. Glues well and it is recommended to pre-bore before nailing or screwing. Polishes up well and gives a smooth even finish.

Olivewood European

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Latin name:Olea Europea
Family: Oleaceae
Distribution: Southern Europe, Middle East & East Africa
Description: Light to medium brown with streaks of black and darker brown running through it. Has a fine texture with a shallow interlocked grain giving it a marble appearance (55 lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Moderate blunting effect on tools with interlocking grain. Glues well and it is recommended to pre_bore before nailing or screwing. Polishes up well and gives a smooth even finish

Panga Panga

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Latin name: Millettia stuhlmannii
Family Leguminosae
Distribution: East Africa
Discription: Heartwood is a dark-brown color that closely resembles Wenge (very closely related), sapwood is a white color. Fairly coarse textured with a rather straight grain (50lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Somewhat hard to work due to its density and fibrous character. Has a moderate blunting effect Tools should be kept sharp to insure a very high quality finish. Pre-boring is recommended before screwing or nailing.

Pau Rosa

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Latin name: Schwartzia madagascarensis
Family: Leguminosae
Distribition: South East Africa
Description: A hard and heavy wood with a burgundy red to bright orange color. Rather oily with an interlocking grain. Fine to medium texture (60 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Medium to severe blunt effect on tools due to hardness, it is recommended to prepare surface before gluing (due to oiliness), pre-bore before screwing or nailing. Polishes to an excellent finish.

Pink Ivory

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Latin name: Rhamnus zeyheri, Sond.
Family: Rhamnaceae
Distribution: Eastern and central part of South Africa extending as far north as southern Zimbabwe and east into Mozambique.
Description: Heartwood has a pink – red figure due to alternate dark and light growth rings, sapwood is a striking yellow – brown color. Has a moderately fine texture with a straight to interlocking or irregular grain. (56 lbs / ft3).
Working Properties: Medium to severe blunting of tools may occur and is therefore best to keep all tools sharp. Recommended to reduce cutting angle to 20 degrees. Fairly difficult to work however holds screws and glues well and material should be pre-bored before nailing. Takes a first class finish and sanded surfaces can be brought to a high polish.

Poplar

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Latin name: Liriodendron tulipifera
Family: Magnoliaceae
Distribution: Eastern US
Discription: The heartwood ranges from a pale creamy yellow brown to a light olive green. It may also have mineral streaks of grays, greens and sometimes purples. It generally has a straight grain, and a medium to fine texture (28lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: This wood turns, machines and glues up well. It takes paint and stains well too.

Purple Heart

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Latin name: Peltogyne spp.
Family Leguminosae
Distribution: Range extends throughout tropical America.
Grows to 125- 150 ft in height in the wild. Density averages 4 lbs per bf. It is stable in use and has moderate steam bending properties.
Uses include plywood, turnery, joinery, heavy-duty flooring, furniture, veneered panels, truck flooring, as well as construction of bridges, pilings and chemical vats. Hard and insect resistant.

Red Oak

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Latin name: Quercus spp.
Family: Fagacea
Distribution: Eastern US
Description: The heartwood is a light brown color with a light pink / reddish hue. It is mostly straight grained with a coarse texture. (45 lbs/ ft3).
Working Properties: It machines well although has a moderate blunting effect on tools. It is recommended to pre drill for nailing and screwing. Glues up well and can be stained and polished to a good finish.

Spanish Cedar

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Latin Name: Cedrella odorensis
Family Meliacae
Distribution: Range is tropical South America.
Description: Color is yellowish to reddish brown. Range is tropical America. Not a true cedar. Grows to 80-100 ft. Density is under 3 lbs per bf. Mildly fragrant and stable in use. Bending properties good
Uses include musical instruments, boats, humidors, chests, joinery, boats, turnery. Soft and liable to beetle attack, but termite resistant.

Sycamore

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Latin name: Platanus occidentalis
Family: Plantanaceae
Distribution: Eastern US
Description: The heartwood is light to medium brown in color, with the sapwood being a more pale creamy color. The grain is interlocked and it also has a fine texture. Quarter sawn boards typically exhibit a fleck or scale pattern. (34 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: It generally works quite easily, however due to it’s interlocking grain, sharp cutter edges are required when machining. (34 lbs/ft3) Although it has poor steam bending properties, it glues up well and takes a good finish.

Tamboti

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Latin name: Spirostachys africana sond
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: South & South East Africa
Description: A brown to dark brown heartwood with blackish streaks and a thin yellowish sapwood, that gives it a very attractive figure. Very dense and somewhat oily.
Working Properties: Yields a very high and smooth finish. Takes wood polish and oil readily and has a very pleasant and distinctive smell that can be noted on furniture pieces that are over 100 years old.

Thuya Burl

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Latin name: Tectraclinis articulata
Family: Cupressaceae
Distribution: North Africa, primarily Morocco
Description: The appearance of this wood is a rich golden brown with dark almost black eyes. It has a cross grain and is very tough and strong. (41lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Machines very well and achieves a high luster

Walnut

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Latin name: Juglans nigra
Family: Juglandaceae
Distribution: Eastern US
Description: The heartwood ranges in color from a light brown to a dark purplish brown, and the sapwood is a light creamy color. It generally has a straight grain with a medium texture. (38 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: The wood is generally pretty easy to work. It turns, machines and glues up well and takes both a finish and stain well. It is also regarded to have good steam bending properties.

Walnut Peruvian

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Also known as Nogal
Latin name: Juglans neotropica
Family: Juglandaceae
Distribution: South America
Description: Closely related to American Walnut, this species is more uniform in color (dark brown with occasional black strips) and straight grained (40 lb. /ft3)
Working Properties: Woods well with both hand & machine tools. Glues, nails and finishes very well

Wenge

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Latin name: Millettia laurentii
Family: Leguminosae
Closely related to Panga Panga
Distribution: Mainly Zaire but also Cameroon & Gabon
Description: Dark brown heartwood with a distinctly off white sapwood. Coarse texture and straight grained (56 lbs/ft3)
Working Properties: Easy to work but can cause blunting of blades due to resin pockets in wood. Should be pre-bored when nailed or screwed, gluing surfaces should be correctly prepared. Filling of grain required to achieve a high finish.

White Oak Qrt Sawn

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Latin name: Quercus alba
Family: Fagacea
Distribution: Eastern US
Description: The heartwood ranges from a pale yellow brown to a medium brown color. It has a medium to coarse texture. (47 lb./ ft3).
Working Properties: Rates of growth determine workability of the wood, with the faster growth material being more difficult to work. It nails and screws well, however it is recommended to pre drill. Glues up well and can be stained and polished to a good finish.

Yellow Heart

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Latin Name: Euxylophora Paraensis
Family: Rutacae
Distribution: Range throughout Central and South America, and North into Caribbean
Description: Color bright yellow, often with fine straight grain. Trees grow to 100 ft height and 30 inches diameter. Density is approximately 4 lbs per bf. Stable in use moderate to poor bending properties.
Uses include joinery, turnery & furniture.

Zebrawood

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Latin name: Brachystegia fleuryana Chev.
Family: Leguminosae
Distribution: West Africa
Description: Zebra-stripe appearance is due to the fact that the heartwood is a light golden-yellow with narrow veining or streaks of dark brown to black. Has an interlocking grain and produces alternating hard and soft grained material, has a lustrous surface and coarse texture. (46 lb / ft3)
Working Properties: Generally more stable in the quarter sawn, Must be glued with care and should be treated with clear filler before polishing. Finishes well when sanded.

Ziricote

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Latin name: Cordia dodecandra
Family: Boraginaceae
Distribution: Central America
Description: Dark brown with irregular blacks streaks that makes for a striking pattern. Has an interlocking grain and a medium density (50lbs/ft3).
Working Properties: Overall works very well, glues, sands and polishes well

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