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Greenheart is native to the tropical rainforests of South America. This wood is renowned for its strength, durability, and resistance to decay, making it a popular choice for outdoor construction and marine applications. Greenheart lumber is commonly used for piers, docks, bridges, and wharves, as well as for building seawalls, retaining walls, and other outdoor structures.

With a density of over 1,000 kg/m3, Greenheart is generally more resistant to moisture, insects, and decay than other types of wood, which is why it is so commonly used in marine applications. Overall, greenheart lumber is a durable, sustainable, and versatile building material that is prized for its strength and resilience in harsh environments.

boatbuilding, construction, decking, exterior cladding, fencing, utility lumber

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Anegre Lumber at Rare Woods USA

Anegre (Pouteria spp.), also spelled Anigre, comes from the tropical regions of East and West Africa, as far south as Angola. It was formerly classified as Aningeria, and the name covers more than one species, so its appearance can vary quite a bit from board to board.Colors range from pale yellowish to orange-brown or pale pinkish-brown, darkening to golden or reddish-brown with age. Heartwood and sapwood usually look alike. The grain is mostly straight, the texture medium, and the pores closed like Maple's. Curly and mottled figure is fairly common, and the best pieces can be stunning.It's easy to work with hand and power tools, though some boards carry silica that can gum up blades. Anegre isn't durable outdoors, so it's an interior wood. Its soft, pastel tones make it a popular choice for figured veneer, cabinetry, paneling and furniture.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carpentry, construction, veneer

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Sipo Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Sipo Mahogany (commonly referred to as either just "Sipo" or "Utile") is an African wood that is considered to be the closest, aesthetically, to Genuine Mahogany (although not a true "Swietenia"). It's interlocked grains are akin to other African woods and generally produce a characteristic contrasting light-dark / two-toned sort of appearance, when quartersawn -- which can be visually stunning in the case of more chatoyant boards. The fact that the wood is considerably easier to work, with less tearout, than African Mahogany and possesses a hardness that places Sipo between it (African Mahogany) and Genuine Mahogany has seen it transcend from relative obscurity to become a quite popular and highly regarded "mahogany substitute" wood, presently.

Aesthetically, the wood is similar, also, to its African first cousin, Sapele (with both being species of the Entandrophragma genus) -- although Sipo is more pourous, and has richer color.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, furniture, turnings, veneer

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Tamboti Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Tamboti is a beautiful African hardwood which is derived from the Spirostachys Africana tree -- a medium-sized, semi-deciduous to deciduous, fruit producing tree. The heartwood is brown to dark brown, with darker markings and streaks, clearly demarcated from the whitish to pale yellow sapwood. Its grains are usually straight to slightly wavy, with a fine, even texture. The wood has a beautiful banded figure and a satin-like lustre, with an oily surface. Known for its durability, dimensional stability and exceptional rot and insect resistance, Tamboti is a hard, heavy wood -- and one which remains in steady demand throughout regions of its natural range, despite its somewhat challenging working properties.

Between the tree's natural oils and latex production, resawing the wood tends to gum up saw blades. Difficulties aside, the wood turns and finishes well, and its density and pleasant aesthetics make it popular with wood carvers, as well.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, construction, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings

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Teak - Burmese Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Genuine Teak is one of the world's most well-known and coveted woods. Its heartwood is light-medium to medium brown, with a tint that can range from muted gold to a pale red. (Its color darkens as it ages.) Sapwood colors are a pale white, off-white or a pale yellowish brown. But it is the wood's great toughness, rot resistance and durability -- versus some rather bland aesthetics -- which make it so popular.

Its grains are typically straight (although sometimes wavy, or even interlocked) with a high natual oil content. This generally makes for favorable working characteristics, although the wood does possess a high silica content.

boatbuilding, carving, construction, flooring, furniture, turnings, veneer

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Walnut - African

Walnut - African Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

African Walnut is derived from the Lovoa Trichilioides tree -- a monoecious, evergreen that is indigenous to Central and Southern Africa's tropical regions. Its heartwood color can vary anywhere from a golden brown to a reddish brown, often with darker streaks and/or portions. Over time, its color will darken to deeper brown tones. The sapwood is narrow, grey to beige in color, and clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Despite it not being a true walnut (of the Juglans genus), it shares many of the basic characteristics.

African Walnut's grains are typically straight or slightly interlocked -- yielding good working properties -- with a fine to medium, consistent texture and a fine natural luster. Finding figured pieces is not uncommon. It turns, glues and finishes well. The wood is considered moderately durable.Despite its nickname, African Walnut is more closely related to mahoganies (being a member of the Meliaceae family) than true walnuts. When quartersawn, the wood can display a long, horizontal stripe figuring and chatoyance that is similar to Sapele.

In spite of its fairly cooperative working properties, sharp cutting tools and blades are recommended to avoid the tearout which can occur with pieces featuring a more interlocking grain pattern.

The wood is sometimes available in the US as precut flooring, although lumber is not too commonly found -- due, in part, to being overly exploited in a significant portion of its natural range.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, gun stocks, joinery, paneling, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Yellowheart Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Yellowheart is a neo-satine wood whose color can range from pale yellow to bright yellow to varying shades of gold. Sapwood is lighter and pale, but not always easily discerned from pale-colored heartwood. Its grains are typically straight, but can also by wavy and/or interlocked. Its typically fine (sometimes medium or in between), consistent texture takes on a luxurious look, revealing a deep natural luster, when sanded.

As far as working characteristics are concerned, Yellowheart is generally very cooperative for a fairly dense and durable wood. (Although sharp blades may be necessary with some interlocked-grain boards.) It glues and finishes very well. The wood holds its color well: slowly darkening, to a degree, as it ages, often giving it an even more striking appearance.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, handles, inlay, musical Instruments, trim, turnings, veneer

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Sassafras Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

The Sassafras genus is renowned for and distinguished by its aromatic properties. Its typically straight grains and coarse texture bear patterns which resemble Ash; and its generally tan to light brown coloration makes its appearance easy to mistake it as such, though sometimes tints ranging from pale orange to olive green can be present. Despite its relatively light dried weight (31 lbs/ft3 / 495 kg/m3), once dry it is considered to be dimensionally stable, with excellent durability and easy working properties.

boatbuilding, furniture, turnings, utility lumber

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Palmyra - Black

Palmyra - Black Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Not unlike its coconut-producing cousin, Red Palm, Black Palmyra (perhaps better known as "Black Palm" in the US) is unique among exotic woods in several ways. First, it's tree is not categorized a hardwood or softwood tree, but as a flowering plant: Monocotyledon (or "Monocot"). Secondly, the tree is comprised of two entirely different layers: at its core is a soft, spongy cellulose mass; this soft core is surrounded by a protective body, comprised of dense, overlapping layers of interwoven fibrovascular strands. It is this hard, dense protective layer that is considered its wood.

While it is considered to be typically straight grained, because of its toughness the wood can be very diificult to work; splintering and tearouts are not uncommon. It is a dimensionally stable wood, but it requires sharp blades and precise-angled cuts to get acceptable results when resawing this wood.

boatbuilding, construction, flooring, furniture, handles, turnings, walking sticks

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Purpleheart Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Renowned for its vibrant purple hues, Purpleheart is not only visually striking but also one of the toughest woods in the world. Known for its exceptional stiffness and hardness, Purpleheart boasts an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, making it one of the most durable hardwoods available. Its natural water resistance, combined with its durability, has made it a popular choice for outdoor applications, such as decking and even truck bed flooring.

The wood typically features a straight or wavy grain, though some pieces may show more irregular patterns. Its texture ranges from fine to medium, and it has a natural luster that emerges beautifully when finely sanded. Purpleheart works well with sharp tools, making it suitable for turning, carving, and other detailed work. It also glues and finishes nicely, but sharp blades are essential for optimal results.

When first cut, Purpleheart has a dull brown color with faint purple tones. However, within minutes, it transitions into a range of rich purple hues, influenced by factors like species and growth environment. With continued exposure to UV rays, the color gradually darkens to a deeper brown with purple undertones. This color shift can be slowed with a finish that includes UV inhibitors, preserving the wood’s vibrant purple appearance.

Despite its generally cooperative workability, Purpleheart’s hardness and density can cause challenges if tools are dull. When resawing with a dull blade, the wood may overheat and release a black, tar-like resin that requires careful sanding to remove.

Although Purpleheart grows across a wide range in Central and South America with 23 recognized species, its popularity in recent years has led to overharvesting in some areas, putting pressure on certain populations. Conservation efforts are important to ensure the sustainable use of this remarkable wood.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, decking, flooring, furniture, inlay, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Rosewood - African

Rosewood - African Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

African Rosewood is a species from the same genus as Bubinga (Guibourtia), which has led to Bubinga often mistakenly being referred to as "African Rosewood." Though obviously not a true rosewood, it does often bear aesthetic similarities. The grain is generally straight but can be interlocked; its texture is moderately fine. The heartwood color ranges from pink to reddish-brown, with purple or red streaks / lines / highlights.

African Rosewood works well, although it can have a moderate blunting effect on tools. It glues and finishes well. It needs to be dried slowly and carefully, to prevent warping and cracking. It's a durable wood and is considered stable, once dried.

boatbuilding, decking, flooring, furniture, millwork, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Rosewood - Madagascan

Rosewood - Madagascan Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Madagascar Rosewood is a very popular wood with both acoustic and electric guitar luthiers (especially the former), as well as furniture craftsmen, despite being a wood that has been difficult to acquire in the US for the bulk of this new millennium. Depending on the specific species, heartwood colors can range anywhere from a pale yellowish-brown to orangish-red to deep burgundy to a chocolate brown, typically highlighted by bold black ink lines and secondary hues. Its straight grains and medium texture generally make for excellent working properties, despite its considerable hardness and density; its cuts, turns and finishes beautifully, with a nice natural luster.

The wood typically has a high natural oil content, which can make gluing challenging.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, inlay, specialty items, trim, turnings, veneer

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Mahogany - Brazilian

Mahogany - Brazilian Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Known in the US primarily as "Genuine Mahogany," Swietenia Macrophylla, its scientific name, is what most in the exotic lumber industry consider to be the true species when referring to "Mahogany." Historically, it has been a very economically important wood throughout the Latin America region. Its color can range from a pale pink to a light to medium reddish-brown, and it is renowned for its chatoyance. Grains vary; although generally straight, they can be interlocked, irregular or wavy, also. Its texture is fine and uniform, with a rich natural luster.

Lumber which originates from the wood's indigenous natural regions is considered to be significantly more durable and stable than its plantation-grown counterparts.

Once a mainstay in the cabinetry, furniture and guitar building industries, here in the US, Genuine Mahogany has become increasingly more difficult to source since its inclusion in CITES' Appendix II, in 2003. It is still imported, although a significantly high percentage are of plantation-grown origin -- which is less desirable and considered to be of inferior quality to that grown in native habitats.

While the net effect of all this has been to create a 'mahogany substitute' segment of the exotic wood import industry -- bringing woods such as Sapele and African Mahogany more into favor -- the demand for Genuine Mahogany hasn't waned.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, furniture, turnings, veneer

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Sapele Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Sapele is an economically-important wood to the continent of Africa, and one that continues to grow in popularity in other industries beyond veneer mills, here in the US. It is commonly used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany -- also belonging to the Meliaceae family -- and it, too, is considered moderately durable and stable. Its color can range from a light golden brown to a darker reddish- or pinkish-brown. The color will darken as the wood ages. Sapale is renowned for its sometimes quite dramatic figuring, which comes in an array of different styles: ribbon, pommele, quilted, mottled, waterfall, wavy, beeswing, tiger-striped and fiddleback. It also possesses a beautiful natural luster.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings, utility lumber, veneer

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Makore Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Makore is a beautiful African wood which is renowned for its great strength and durability, despite being of a moderate density. Its heartwood can range from pink to a light to medium reddish-brown, with its yellow sapwood be clearly discerible, when present. Figuring is not unusual, with striped, mottled and sometimes even beeswing being found in quartersawn boards. It is typically straight-grained and easy to work, although grain patterns can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. Although it can have a dulling effect on saw blades, its high silica content contributes to its fine natural luster and poses no real issues with gluing or finishing.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings, utility lumber, veneer

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Oak - Slavonian

Oak - Slavonian Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

This is an oak hardwood species not often seen or found in great abundance outside of Western & Southwestern Europe. It is perhaps best noted for its use in the manufacture of wine barrels; the wood is said to have a mellowing effect on the taste and texture of wines which are aged in the barrels. (It is an historical favorite among Italian wine producers.) Its heartwood is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a greenish hue. Its grains are generally straight (although sometimes interlocked or irregular), but its texture is coarse and uneven.Like many other oaks, quartersawn pieces will typically display fleck ray patterns. Although not as dense as White Oak, it is also very responsive to steam bending, and is a tough durable wood. It, too, is easy to work, and glues, stains and finishes well.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, veneer, wine barrels

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Oak - White - American Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

White Oak has long been considered one of the preeminent hardwoods of Central & Eastern America. The trees commonly live for hundreds of years, if left undisturbed. The color of the heartwood can vary from a light golden tan to a light to medium brown. The grains are straight. Quartersawn examples often display the "fleck" figuring patterns for which oaks are known. Its renowned toughness and durability has seen White Oak used in boat building for centuries, as it also responds well to steam bending. Despite its large pores and generally coarse surface, the wood works, glues and holds a stain and/or a finish very well.The White Oak is the most durable of the oak subgroups; however, because of its high shrinkage rates, dimensional stability can be a challenge. Although it is commonly offered in both flatsawn and quartersawn boards, most stable results are always obtained by using quartersawn stock.Specimens have been documented to reach ages of more 450 years old; while one, still living (in Basking Ridge, NJ), estimated to be over 600 years old.It should be noted that all Quercus-genus (true oak) hardwoods have been known to discolor when left in contact with iron.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carpentry, flooring, furniture, veneer, wine barrels

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Imbuia Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Although its nickname is "Brazilian Walnut," Imbuia bears little aesthetic resemblance to any members of the Juglans (true walnut) genus beyond its typical brownish colors. Grain patterns are generally wild and unpredictable, and occasional sap content can create a rather stunning contrast, with its rich, (typically) pale to medium muted golden hues. Although published data would leave on to surmise that it shares a very similar density with that of walnut (which it often does), Imbuia can be significantly more dense, at times, depending on growing conditions

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, gun stocks, turnings, veneer

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Iroko Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Iroko is a very tough, durable wood that has been traditionally used in a multitude of applications in its native Africa. Its golden to medium brown color, course texture and interlocked grains give it an appearance very similar to that of Teak; although it is significantly less dense, it has been utilized in Africa in many of the same functions / duties that Teak has in other parts of the world. Despite its toughness (and interlocked grains), it is generally not difficult to work; it glues and finishes well.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, construction, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings, utility lumber, veneer

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Jatoba Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Jatoba earned its nickname -- "Brazilian Cherry" -- from flooring manufacturers, as its natural color can often resemble the look of aged Cherry wood (medium to dark reddish-brown). Its resistance to rot and bug damage and excellent strength-to-weight ratio make it suitable for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications, although its density and typically interlocked grains can make it difficult to work and hard on blades.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, handles, specialty items, turnings

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Kiaat Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Kiaat is closely related to African Padauk (both are species of the Pterocarpus genus), sharing its characteristics of being durable, extremely stable and easy workability. The wood is renowned for its great bug and termite resistance.Although Kiaat is considerably less dense (than Padauk), it has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio which (combined with its durability) makes it a very versatile, useful wood -- suitable for a great variety of applications. Its heartwood color can vary from a light golden brown to a medium brown with a reddish or purplish tint. Grains can be straight, wavy or interlocked; its texture ranges from fine to medium, with a nice natural luster. Kiaat has very good working properties, and turns, glues and finishes well.

boatbuilding, furniture, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Lignum Vitae - Argentine

Lignum Vitae - Argentine Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Without question, one of the world's hardest, most dense woods, Argentinian Lignum Vitae is very similar to its namesake -- the world's most dense wood, genuine Lignum Vitae -- in appearance, working properties and physical characteristics. (Both are classified in the same scientific family, Zygophyllaceae.) It is a beautiful wood, with heartwood colors ranging from medium to dark brown, quite often featuring green highlights (sometimes in a prominent fashion) which become more pronounced as the wood ages and is increasingly exposed to UV rays. Sapwood is pale yellow. Its grains can be straight, wavy or slightly interlocked, and it has a smooth, consistent texture and an impressive natural luster that emerges with fine-grit sanding.While its dense, hard, heavy physical nature makes it rough on blades and sometimes difficult to glue, it turns very smoothly and is extremely stable and durable.When (genuine) Lignum Vitae first made it onto CITES' Appendix II list, Verawood became more well known and popular -- commonly used as a substitute. Now that it, too, has made it onto both CITES and the IUCN's radar, it is not an easy wood to access in the US, either.

boatbuilding, construction, handles, turnings, utility lumber

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Mahogany - African

Mahogany - African Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

African Mahogany is a wood that continues to grow in popularity -- so much so that this new millennium has seen its various species be replanted into tropical regions in Central America, as well as becoming a contemporary plantation roster addition. Depending on its origin, growth conditions and specific strain ("African Mahogany" encompasses four different Khaya species), it color can range from a pale pink or muted orange, to a somewhat darker reddish- or golden-brown. It can also have darker striping, and, aesthetically, it can be further enhanced through figuring (ribbon; wavy diagonal; mottled) and varying levels of chatoyance.Its grains are typically either straight or interlocked. It works, turns and finishes easily, and beautifully, although boards which feature interlocked grains can occasionally pose tearout issues when planing, joining or resawing.

boatbuilding, furniture, lutherie, turnings, veneer

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Cypress - Swamp

Cypress - Swamp Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Swamp Cypress is so named for its association with swamp land, with is roots often protruding above the land or submerged into the swamp water where it grows. This light, pale yellow-brown wood known for its durability, toughness and character is also the State Tree of Louisiana. It is an important wood in the indigenous Southeast region of the US, as its versatility and workability lend it to a variety of diverse applications. It is typically straight-grained, although knots are commonly present. Other than the knots, the wood poses no difficult challenges for working, glue and finishing.

boatbuilding, construction, veneer

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Cedar - Japanese

Japanese Cedar %page% (Cryptomeria japonica) %sep% %sitename%

Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), known in Japan as Sugi, is the country's national tree. It's planted at temples and sacred sites across Japan, and some ancient trees are famous landmarks in their own right. It's prized for its scented, strong but lightweight timber, and it's been planted well beyond Japan, including in South Africa.The wood is reddish-pink to light brown, straight-grained and medium-textured, often with a pleasant, clean fragrance. It's strong for its weight and resists water well, which is why it has been used in Japanese boat and ship building for centuries.Knots are fairly common, as you'd expect from a cedar, but otherwise it works very easily with hand and power tools, and it glues, stains and finishes well. It's soft, so it dents more easily than hardwoods.Japanese Cedar is used for construction, interior paneling, furniture, boatbuilding, carving and turnings, and it's a traditional choice for Japanese architecture and woodwork. Our Japanese Cedar was grown in South Africa, where the species was introduced and does well. If you like light, fragrant softwoods, see also Western Red Cedar.

boatbuilding, carving, construction, furniture, turnings

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Cedar - Spanish

Cedar - Spanish Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata) isn't a true cedar at all. It belongs to the mahogany family, and it shares many of that family's best qualities: it's light, pleasantly aromatic and one of the easiest hardwoods to work.The heartwood ranges from a soft pinkish-brown to reddish-brown and darkens nicely with age. The grain is straight and the texture fine, so it planes, carves and sands cleanly, and it glues and finishes well. Most Spanish Cedar on the US market is plantation-grown, which is usually a little lighter in weight and color than forest-grown wood.It's best known for cigar boxes and humidors, where its scent suits tobacco and it stays stable as humidity changes. Light, stable and easy to carve, it's also the traditional wood for classical and flamenco guitar necks, and it's used in boatbuilding, cabinetry and veneer. Related woods in the mahogany family include Genuine Mahogany, Sapele and Sipo.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, humidors, musical Instruments, veneer

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Afrormosia lumber at Rare Woods USA

Afrormosia (Pericopsis elata) is a West African hardwood often called African Teak. It earned the name honestly: it's extremely durable and resistant to rot and insects, with working and mechanical properties close to Teak, but without the oiliness.The heartwood ranges from muted tan and gold to light and medium browns, often with darker stripes, and over time it darkens to a look closer to Black Walnut than Teak. The grain is straight to wavy, sometimes interlocked, and the texture fine, with a lovely natural luster once sanded.Although it's harder than Teak, it works well with hand and machine tools, gives crisp joints, and turns, glues and finishes very well. It's tough yet flexible, which is why it has been used in African boatbuilding for centuries.Afrormosia is a long-standing favorite in Europe for cabinetry, architectural trim and fine furniture, and it's also used for flooring, turnings and veneer.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, turnings, veneer

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Andiroba lumber at Rare Woods USA

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis), also called Crabwood, grows across Central and South America, where it's used as a mahogany substitute and a general carpentry wood. It's a member of the mahogany family and is durable in use.The wood is a pale reddish-brown that darkens slightly as it dries and continues to deepen with exposure to light. The grain is usually straight, though it can be wavy or interlocked, and the texture is fine with a good natural luster. Most boards are on the plain side, but quartersawn pieces can show a ribbon figure much like Sapele.It's generally easy to work and turns, glues and finishes well. Andiroba isn't often seen in the US, but it's a good choice for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, turnings and veneer, and it has a history in boatbuilding.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, turnings, veneer

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Beech - European

Beech - European Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is one of the most popular and commercially important hardwoods in Europe, thanks to its large supply and modest price. It's slightly harder than its American cousin.The wood is pale cream, often with a pink or light reddish-brown tint. The grain is straight and the texture medium, and it machines, turns, glues and finishes easily. Large trees yield long, wide boards.It's strong, tough and steam-bends very well, which is why it has been used in European boatbuilding for centuries. Like all beech it isn't durable outdoors and can move in service, so well-dried, quartersawn stock is the best choice where stability matters.European Beech is used for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, turnings, instruments and veneer. See also American Beech.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, musical Instruments, turnings, veneer

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Blackwood - Acacia

Acacia Blackwood lumber at Rare Woods USA

Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), also called Acacia Blackwood, is a close cousin of Hawaiian Koa, and it's growing in popularity with guitar makers and furniture builders. Despite the name, it isn't black.The tree is native to Australia, but our stock is grown in South Africa, where it was introduced in the 1800s and is now grown commercially. That shorter, more direct supply line makes it a far more cost-effective choice than imported Australian or Hawaiian woods, with the same good looks.The heartwood ranges from light golden brown to darker browns, often with streaks of other colors, and it's clearly set apart from the tan to light grey sapwood. The grain runs from straight to wavy or interlocked, with a fine texture and an impressive luster. Figured boards with Koa-like shimmer turn up only occasionally, so they're worth snapping up when they do. Apart from occasional tear-out, it works easily, and it turns, glues and finishes well.Tough, durable and good for bending, it's used for guitar backs and sides, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, gun stocks and turnings.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, furniture, gun stocks, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Bocote lumber at Rare Woods USA

Bocote (Cordia spp.) is a Mexican and Central American hardwood with a golden brown base and dark brown to black stripes.Its best boards are covered in tiny “eyes” in the grain. These aren't knots and cause no trouble when machining. In pieces grown south of Mexico, the base color can be a bright, muted orange.Despite its oily nature, Bocote glues surprisingly well, and it turns and finishes nicely. Some boards contain silica, which can dull blades, so keep a spare sharp edge handy.Its striking looks make it a favorite with furniture and cabinet makers, guitar builders and turners, and it's also used for gun stocks, flooring and veneer. It's related to Ziricote and Louro Preto.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, fine furniture, flooring, gun stocks, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Cedar - Alaskan

Alaskan Yellow Cedar lumber at Rare Woods USA

Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis), also called Nootka Cypress or Yellow Cypress, grows along the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California. Botanists have reclassified it several times over the last two centuries, but whatever you call it, it's light in weight yet very tough and durable.The wood is pale yellow, straight-grained and fine-textured, with an even look and a mild, distinctive scent. It carves cleanly with crisp detail and planes to a smooth, almost silky surface. The trees typically reach 40 to 80 feet in the wild, and some are thought to be thousands of years old. They hold their own in very tough conditions, and the wood is similarly hardy.It's naturally resistant to decay and insects, stable once dry, and it glues and finishes well, so it performs indoors and out. It also weathers to an attractive silver grey if left unfinished.That combination makes it a very versatile wood. It's used for boatbuilding, decking, outdoor furniture, boxes and carving, and it's become popular with luthiers for acoustic guitar tops. For a great example of what it can do, take a look at the detailed carvings of Peter Follansbee.

boatbuilding, boxmaking, carving, construction, decking, flooring, outdoor furniture

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