Before selecting timber, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the wood. Over the following pages you’ll find a helpful introduction to a wide range of soft- and hardwoods.
Softwood
The term ‘non-porous’ is sometimes applied by botanists to softwood species, many of which grow in the northern hemisphere. Instead of moisture passing through open cells throughout the tree’s length, as in hardwoods, each individual softwood cell relies on moisture passing through its cell wall. This often causes softwoods to perform quite differently to hardwoods when used in the workshop.
Parana pine: Araucaria Angustifolia
Sources Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Sustainability tropical softwood, with risk of illegal logging
Typical uses internal joinery, stairs
- close-grained, wide boards; easy to machine, with low wastage
- cupping a problem with wide boards
Denser than most softwoods, parana pine often grows above 21 m (70 ft) in height. Unlike most softwoods, this hard pine is generally knot free, and can be obtained virtually free from knots in wide boards. Honey-coloured, its reddish streaks are regarded as a feature. Growth rings are hard to distinguish.
Cedar of Lebanon: Cedrus Libani
Sources Middle East, Europe
Sustainability unlikely to be certified
Typical uses drawers and box linings
- wide, stable boards; strong aroma repels insects
- brittle; quite expensive
A general term, as there are three or four different cedars with similar characteristics. This timber is known for its strong fragrance, which deters moths, and is often used as a drawer lining. Very light with little constructional strength, it is available in very wide boards, some of which are quartersawn.
Larch: Larix Deciduas
Sources Europe
Sustainability not endangered, though available from certified sources
Typical uses external joinery
- straight grain; durable outdoors
- splits and knots a problem
A wonderful timber for outdoor use, it not only grows to a great height, but also produces really wide boards. Often seen in the form of fencing, garden sheds and even flooring. Traditionally used for pit props in mines and telephone poles. Unlike pines and spruces, which are evergreen, this species loses its leaves in winter.
European redwood: Pinus Sylvestris
Sources Europe, northern Asia Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses household furniture, joinery, house construction
- cheap and plentiful; easy to work
- can be knotty
Also known as Scots pine, in western Europe redwood abounds as furniture and structural members in house building. Prone to movement, its wide spring growth is quite soft, making the harder summer growth pronounced. It changes colour with ultraviolet light, which can be unattractive if the exposure is uneven.
Douglas fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii
Sources North America, UK
Sustainability not endangered, though available from certified sources
Typical uses house construction and joinery
- water-resistant; straight grain, fairly strong and can be knot free
- can be brittle and susceptible to splintering A giant of a tree, often growing in excess of 85 m (280 ft). Generally reddish in colour, the sectional sizes available are enormous, so its uses are vast, from large timber structures to interiors. Not only very tough, but water-resistant. Also known as British Columbian pine and Oregon pine.
Yew: Taxus Baccata
Sources Europe
Sustainability often found in churchyards and parks, certification is rare
Typical uses furniture-making, musical instruments, bows, veneer
- beautiful colouring and grain; straight-grained timber bends well
- very high wastage (up to 400 per cent), so very expensive
Some trees exceed 1,000 years in age. Yew has extraordinarily elastic properties, hence its historical use for long bows and the finest Windsor chairs. Boards have a high proportion of sapwood and its branches make beautiful oysters. The foliage is poisonous to many animals, including cattle.
Western red cedar: Thuja Plicata
Sources North America and Europe
Sustainability certified timber available. Not easily regenerated, supplies of best stock low
Typical uses roof shingles, musical instruments
- easy to work; naturally durable
- dust can cause respiratory problems
Western red cedar is available in wide boards and very easy to work. The lovely aroma can remain in the wood, especially when used in confined spaces. Very durable and much used for internal joinery. It withstands almost any climatic condition, so is particularly good for houses.
Western hemlock: Tsuga Heterophylla
Sources North America and Europe
Sustainability not endangered, though available from certified sources Typical uses internal joinery, stair balusters, plywood, sheds and greenhouses
- straight grain, stable; easy to work
- poor durability, soft
Although a good general-purpose timber for interior work such as panelling, western hemlock is prone to movement in enclosed, temperature-variable conditions. It grows fast, is clean and even in grain, but should not be used externally. Also called fir or spruce.
Hardwood
From early experimentation, it has been discovered which woods are durable and perform well for tool-making, boat building, furniture-making, even wheel-making. In these categories hardwoods generally perform better than softwoods. This is partly owing to the different composition of the cell structure in hardwoods, which allows much greater flexibility than in most softwoods.
Sycamore: Acer Pseudoplatanus
Sources Europe, western Asia
Sustainability not endangered, though some timber is certified Typical uses furniture-making, musical instruments, woodturning, kitchen utensils
- fine grain, few defects; easy to bend
- surface can burn when machining; not as hard as maple
Although almost white when converted, in time it turns yellowish-brown. In quartersawn boards the medullary rays are beautiful and subtle. Rippled figuring is prized for musical instruments. Seasoning and workshop drying can still result in distorted boards; they must be stood on end to season or the colour is lost forever. A superb wood once tamed.
Sugar maple: Acer Saccharum
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, though certified timber easily available
Typical uses furniture-making, tool handles, butchers’ blocks, woodturning, flooring
- cuts well, retaining sharp edges when machined
- hard on edge tools; poor durability
Also known as rock maple, sugar maple is a versatile, close-grained, dense temperate timber that finishes well. The wood ages and discolours less than sycamore and its grain can be straight or very wavy. Bird’s-eye, rippled and quilted maples are exotic variations, often displaying stunning figuring. Sugar maple is prized by cabinet-makers.
Red alder: Alnus Rubra
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, fast growing
Typical uses furniture-making, joinery, carving, woodturning
- stable, straight grain
- bland appearance; fairly soft
Used more than anything as a utility timber, red alder grows quickly and is widely available as a result. Easy to season and very stable, this temperate hardwood makes a good substrate for veneering. A relatively soft timber, you will need sharp edge tools to produce a decent surface.
Boxwood: Buxus Sempervirens
Sources Europe
Sustainability rare, but not certified
Typical uses tool handles, woodturning, musical instruments, printing blocks
- fine, smooth, close grain; attractive colour
- restricted to small diameter branches; limited quantities make it expensive
Unlike most hardwoods, boxwood is sourced from hedgerows and mature trees, making it quite rare. It is sometimes available from specialist timber suppliers. A favourite of woodturners, it is capable of retaining detail cuts well. Often used for chess pieces, chisel handles and stringing for inlay work.
Sweet chestnut: Castanea Sativa
Sources Europe and Turkey
Sustainability not widely available, though not endangered Typical uses staircases, coffins
- strong, durable, inexpensive
- CD slow to season
Sweet chestnut is a handsome tree with a large crown. Also known as Spanish chestnut, this resembles flat-sawn oak, although few medullary rays are seen. Softer and lighter than oak but found in larger sections, this wood is delightful to work. Its high tannic acid content stains fingers very easily. Sweet chestnut trees are harvested for their nuts.
Iroko: Chlorophora Excelsa
sources Africa
Sustainability possible low risk, but difficult to findcertified timber
Typical uses external joinery, garden furniture, boat building
- strong and fairly stable; oily and durable
- interlocking grain; unpleasant to work and dulls blades quickly
A pale to dark brown tropical timber, iroko is similar to teak in appearance. It is unpleasant to machine without good extraction as its pungent smell irritates the nasal passages and many woodworkers refuse to work with it. A good outdoor wood for garden furniture and situations in which humidity levels can fluctuate widely.
Rosewood: Dalbergia
Sources Central and South America, India, Indonesia Sustainability endangered, some Indian timber :an tation-grown
Typical uses musical instruments, cabinet-making, tool handles, veneer
- dense, beautiful colour and figure
- some endangered; prone to fine surface splits
There are several different rosewoods including Brazilian, Indian, Rio, Honduran, Mexican, Madagascan, each with its own beautiful colour and grain. Export bans imposed by South American countries mean that most are now virtually impossible to obtain, except in veneer form. Plantation-grown Indian rosewood is most common. One of the most sought-after exotic timbers.
Kingwood: Dalbergia Cearensis
Sources Brazil
Sustainability not listed as endangered, but still scarce
Typical uses cabinet-making, inlay, veneer
- dramatic colour and grain
- splits are common; very expensive
A beautiful timber that is difficult to obtain in large sizes sections. Contrasting pale yellow sapwood, which is often incorporated into furniture for decorative effect. Heart shakes are common. Often sold by weight rather than cubic content, kingwood is a dense timber, which polishes well. Also known as violetwood.
Cocobolo: Dalbergia Retusa
Sources Central America
Sustainability vulnerable, with certified timber rare Typical uses musical instruments, woodturning, cutlery handles, inlay, veneer
- Amazing colour and grain; water-resistant
- interlocking spiral grain is common; very expensive
This dense, exotic tropical timber has irregular grain but is stable when dry. Its colour is stunning, with alternating orange and red streaks with darker lines. From the rosewood family, cocobolo contains oils, so gluing can be a problem. Its durability makes it valuable for cutlery handles. Also known as granadillo.
Macassar ebony: Diospyros Celebica
Sources Indonesia
Sustainability vulnerable, with certified timber rare Typical uses musical instruments, cabinet-making, woodturning, inlay
- extremely hard and dense
- seasons slowly, risk of splitting; blunts tools rapidly; rare and very expensive
Varies greatly in colour, from dark brown with black stripes to mostly black with yellow stripes. It is particularly streaky in veneer form. Prized for fingerboards on guitars and the violin family, it is sometimes dyed to create a uniform black colour. Difficult to work, with edge tools needing frequent honing.
Sapele: Entandrophragma cylindricum
Sources Africa
Sustainability certified timber is scarce. Status varies Typical uses doors, windows, furniture-making, flooring, plywood, veneer
- wide boards; not too expensive
- interlocking grain can tear
Owing to the size of the tree, sapele is available in very wide boards. Rather stripy and not too exciting visually. Used for commercially produced joinery and as a substitute for mahogany, although not the most stable timber. Quartersawn timber can be highly figured, with fiddleback figure common.
Jarrah: Eucalyptus Marginata
Sources Australia
Sustainability status uncertain, and uncertified timber rare
Typical uses house construction, furniture-making, woodturning, carving
- naturally durable, strong; can be figured
- dulls edge tools quickly; grain can be interlocking Much of Western Australia is built of jarrah; it is used in bridges, railway sleepers, flooring and many outdoor situations where strength and durability are essential. This temperate hardwood is an even reddish-brown colour, but the grain often lacks character. Used for internal cabinet-making, it is tough to work with hand tools.
Beech: Fagus Sylvatica
Sources Europe
Sustainability not endangered, though some certified timber
Typical uses woodwork tools, workbenches, commercial furniture-making
- good for bending; inexpensive
- shrinkage a problem
Huge beech trees mean wide and thick boards are available. Renowned for being unstable, shrinkage is 400 per cent greater than any other European hardwood, although it is one of the cheapest temperate timbers. It can work beautifully when dry and glues well. Diseased beech has dark veins, called spalting, prized by woodturners.
Ash: Fraxinus Excelsior
Sources Europe
Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses sports equipment, boat building, furniture-making, veneer
- strong and flexible, ideal for bending
- grain can tear when planning; prone to splits
Ash is a tough, temperate, ring-porous timber with attractive grain. As well as being one of the best woods for steam bending, it has excellent shock-absorbing properties, making it ideal for tool and cricket bat handles. When the white heart turns to a streaky colour it is known as olive ash. Rippled ash generally in veneer form.
Ramin: Gonystylus Macrophyllum
Sources Southeast Asia
Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses plywood, furniture-making, carving
- fine, straight grain
- bland appearance
Ramin is one of a family of similar trees from Southeast Asia. It has a very open, featureless grain, which is difficult to cut to a crisp finish. It is often used in furniture where components are hidden, such as framework. The splinters are poisonous and must be removed from the skin immediately.
Lignum vitae: Guaiacum Officinale
Sources Central America
Sustainability endangered and CITES listed
Typical uses marine components, bowling bowls, woodturning
- heavy, durable and self lubricating
- very difficult to work; interlocking grain
Lignum vitae (`tree of life’) is naturally oily, making it ideal for boat bearings and clock movements, though gluing can be tricky. One of the world’s densest tropical hardwoods, it is extremely strong and durable, with beautiful colour and grain. Very expensive, and often sold by weight rather than board size.
Bubinga: Guibourtia Demeusei
Sources West and central Africa
Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses tools, musical instruments, cabinetmaking, veneer
- striking colour, can be highly figured; stable when it is dry
- grain can be interlocking; blunts edge tools easily
A dense reddish-brown wood with thin dark lines giving an interesting pattern. The vibrant colour darkens with exposure. It glues and finishes well, making it an attractive timber for high-quality tools. It is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to rosewood (also known as African rosewood). In veneer form it is called kevasingo.
American black walnut: Juglans Nigra
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, certified timber readily available
Typical uses furniture-making, musical instruments, gunstocks, joinery, veneer
- fairly straight-grained, easy to work
- dents easily
A beautiful, cheaper alternative to European walnut, American black walnut is magnificent for furniture-making. Relatively lightweight, it is easy to work with hand and machine tools, though gives off an unpleasant smell. Stable once seasoned, its gorgeous deep-brown colour can have a purple tint. This temperate hardwood polishes beautifully.
European walnut: Juglans Regia
Sources Europe, parts of Asia
Sustainability not endangered, though timber is sparse and not certified Typical uses furniture-making, woodturning, box making, veneer
- beautiful grain, figure and colour; easy to work
- very expensive; risk of insect attack
Walnut trees often die before reaching a good size, although boards can be fairly wide. Ease of use, colour, texture, figure and sheer depth of beauty combined with its stability make this species unique and highly prized. In veneer form, crotch and burr are especially sought-after.
American Whitewood: Liriodendron Tulipifera
Sources North America, Europe
Sustainability not endangered, grows fast
Typical uses toys, painted furniture, pattern making, joinery
- straight grain, medium strength; seasons well; stable and inexpensive
- rather bland appearance; not durable
American whitewood is confusingly also called yellow poplar or tulipwood. It is second-rate timber for making furniture, but is excellent as a good stable subbase for veneering or for hidden carcases, or where painted furniture is required. American whitewood is sometimes used for plywood. It machines easily and is excellent for making jigs.
Zebrano: Microberlinia Brazzavillensis
Sources West Africa
Sustainability vulnerable, so veneer preferable to solid wood Typical uses furniture-making, woodturning, carving, inlay, veneer
- beautiful figure when crown-cut; stable once seasoned and durable
- interlocking grain difficult to work; veneer can buckle Zebrano is an exotic tropical timber with a range of colours in the form of contrasting striped lines, which can vary in density. This timber is often used as a detail in marquetry, but its initial lustre can fade when it is exposed to too much ultraviolet light. Its boards may be rather limited in size. Zebrano is known as zebrawood in the United States.
Wenge: Millettia Laurentii
Sources Central Africa
Sustainability endangered, with no apparent certified timber Typical uses woodturning, flooring
- durable, dense and strong; distinctive colour and straight grai
- splinters easily; finishing can be a problem
When planed, wenge changes from a straw colour to almost black. Open-pored, but with a good grain filler, replaces rosewood admirably. Lacks figure, but for small areas like turnings it has a wonderful grain distinction. Brittle and very splintery, finishing wenge can be problematical owing to grain’s absorption variation. Similar to panga panga.
Balsa: Ochroma Pyramidale
Sources Central America, West Indies Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses model making, carving
- excellent to carve with sharp tools; buoyancy aids
- very soft and weak, will crush easily; expensive
The lightest and softest wood in the world, yet it is a hardwood. One of the few timbers where the sapwood is utilized. Trees grow rapidly, but are very susceptible to damage. A marvellous timber for model making and for containers requiring buoyancy. Tends to be available only in small sizes.
Plane (lacewood): Platanus Acerifolia
Sources Europe
Sustainability not endangered
Typical uses furniture-making, veneer
- stunning figure when quartersawn
- roupala and silky oak may be confusingly sold as lacewood
One of the few species which, when the medullary rays are seen in the quartersawn board, changes its name, from plane to lacewood. The tree is predominant in cities and is distinguished by its continuously peeling bark. A good furniture wood with great subtlety and finishes well.
European cherry: Prunus Avium
Sources Europe
Sustainability not endangered, but timber not widely available Typical uses woodturning, veneer
- grain can be attractive
- boards limited in size and seasons poorly
Often a difficult timber to obtain, as trees do not live that long. Cherry can be awkward to plane without breakout, especially on quartersawn boards. Equally, it is worth persevering, as the close grain can polish beautifully.
American cherry: Prunus Serotina
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, plenty of certified timber
Typical uses musical instruments, furniture-making, woodturning, carving, boat building
- straight, fine grain and attractive colour
- high degree of sapwood on each board
Also known as black cherry, it can be difficult to obtain the best quality outside North America, as this is rarely exported. Board conversion for maximum volume means most exported timber has excessive movement and wastage is high. Some boards can yield good figure. It can be stained to imitate mahogany reasonably well.
Padauk: Pterocarpus Dalbergiodes
Sources Andaman Islands (Indian Ocean)
Sustainability certified timber doubtful, but not yet endangered
Typical uses furniture-making, boat building, flooring
- stunning colour, durable
- interlocking grain difficult to work, blunting tools
Padauk is difficult to work owing to its interlocking grain, but persevere and the reward will be a beautiful rich, deep-red timber with dark streaks dancing over the surface. Beware of this colour fading somewhat when exposed to ultraviolet light. African padauk is similar in colour and texture and easier to use.
American White Oak: Quercus Alba
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, certified timber readily available Typical uses furniture-making, joinery, construction work, flooring
- durable, strong, straight grain; inexpensive
- grain lacks character
This oak is regarded by many as adequate in that it is durable and tough, has good sectional sizes and length, but is prone to having sapwood included in sawn boards. White oak is, however, dull and must rank as a functional ak rather than one with character. A useful all-round temperate hardwood that can be used externally.
American Red Oak: Quercus Rubra
Sources North America
Sustainability not endangered, certified timber readily available
Typical uses furniture-making, joinery, flooring
- deeper colour than white oak; inexpensive
- less figure than most oaks; not durable
Although there is a greater depth of colour in red oak it cannot be used externally. Very similar in working properties to white oak, the quartersawn boards may display some rays, though not as extensively as European oak.
European oak: Quercus Robur
Sources Europe
Sustainability certified timber available, but not under threat
Typical uses furniture-making, high-class joinery, timber framing, boat building, veneer
- durable, hard and strong; distinctive grain and colour
- natural defects mean wastage can be significant; expensive
European oak is a majestic timber, with quartersawn boards displaying fantastic medullary rays, for which this wood is famous. Of all the oaks, this one is the most spectacular for furniture-making. Burr oak is prized by woodturners and by cabinet-makers in veneer form. A gorgeous surface is virtually guaranteed, whatever the finish.
Brazilian mahogany: Swietenia Macrophylla
Sources Central and South America
Sustainability endangered tropical timber, although certified timber widely available
Typical uses furniture-making, cabinet-making, quality joinery, veneer
- plain-sawn boards can produce flamed figure
- grain can tear easily; prone to insect attack
The only true mahogany now commercially available, and the reason for much debate surrounding rainforest issues. Used as a substitute for prized Cuban mahogany, which is virtually extinct. Brazilian mahogany produces grain with many variations, including crotch pattern, the result of intersecting branch and trunk.
Teak: Tectona Grandis
Sources Southeast Asia, West Africa
Sustainability not endangered, though plantation-grown or certified timber preferable Typical uses boat building, flooring, garden furniture, decking
- water-resistant and naturally durable
- very expensive; blunts edge tools rapidly
A timber that exudes a natural oil from its pores, enabling it to withstand exceptional conditions. Difficult to de-grease for gluing purposes, but still a joy to work, despite its calcium pockets and grit particles blunting edge tools. Excellent for furniture-making, both indoors and out. Substitutes include afrormosia and iroko.
European lime: Tilia vulgaris
Sources Europe
Sustainability no problem, grows abundantly in Europe
Typical uses woodcarving, woodturning, toys, musical instruments
- fine, even grain cuts easily; not expensive
- slight movement when dry; board ends can split Arguably the best timber for woodcarving, it is a real delight to work with sharp edge tools. Lime is not really suitable for furniture as its appearance is rather bland, although it is often used for children’s toys. Freshly machined timber darkens to pale brown with exposure.
Obeche: Triplochiton Scleroxylon
Sources West Africa
Sustainability not endangered, readily available Typical uses mouldings, hidden furniture components
- stable; easy to work
- bland appearance; grain can be interlocking A good ground timber, used for drawer bases, rails that require veneering, and so on. It is useful as a stable base for incorporating with other timbers. It is often stained to improve its appearance. Also known as linden.
Elm: Ulmus Hollandica
Sources Europe
Sustainability some certified timber, increasingly rare Typical uses tabletops, chair seats, boat building, flooring, veneer
- dramatic grain and colour variation
- grain pattern makes it difficult to work; needs careful seasoning
Thousands of trees have died from Dutch elm disease across Europe. When available, however, this magnificent species provides durability, depth of beauty and exotic figure. The burrs and knots of this timber make its character unique. Quite soft for a hardwood, the grain is fairly coarse. English elm is not as tough as European.