Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is one of America's most important hardwoods and a long-time favorite for fine furniture. It grows across the eastern United States, with some of the finest timber coming from Pennsylvania and New York.Freshly cut, it's tan to light brown with a pink or red tint, and it ages to the rich reddish-brown (russet) that stains on other woods try to imitate. That color change happens quickly with light exposure. The sapwood is pale yellow, and small dark gum flecks and pith marks are part of its natural character.The grain is straight to irregular, the texture fine and even, and the density moderate. It's one of the most cooperative, user-friendly hardwoods around: easy to work, strong for its weight, stable and durable. It can blotch when stained, but with color like this there's rarely a reason to stain it. Go slowly with high-speed tools, as it can burn.Cherry is used for fine furniture, cabinetry, millwork, flooring, turnings and veneer, and occasionally for guitar necks and bodies. For figured stock, see Curly Cherry.

Curly Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is the figured version of American Cherry, with bold, shimmering curl running across the grain. The best boards are quite dramatic, with the stripes appearing to move as you tilt the piece in the light.Freshly cut, it's tan to light brown with a pink or red tint, and it ages to a rich reddish-brown that deepens over the years. The grain is straight to irregular, the texture fine, and the density moderate.It's one of the most cooperative hardwoods to work, and it's strong for its weight, stable and durable. Take light passes with a sharp blade to avoid tear-out in the figure, and finish with an oil or clear finish to make the curl glow. It can blotch if stained, but the natural color and figure are the reason to buy it.Curly Cherry is the most sought-after form of this classic American wood, ideal for fine furniture, cabinetry, boxes, drawer fronts and instrument parts where the figure can show. Its stability has also earned it a place in guitar necks and bodies. See also plain Black Cherry.

Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata) is a South American hardwood often sold as Brazilian Teak, though it isn't related to true Teak. It's one of the hardest and most durable woods on the market.It's golden brown to medium brown, sometimes with reddish or purplish tones, and it darkens with age. The grain is interlocked with a medium texture and a waxy feel. It's extremely hard, stiff and strong, with excellent resistance to rot, insects and weathering.Its density makes it challenging to work, so carbide tools are a must, and you should pre-drill for screws and nails. It glues best with a solvent wipe first. The tree is also the source of tonka beans, prized for their sweet, vanilla-like scent, and freshly cut Cumaru can carry a hint of that aroma. Its dust can irritate, so wear a mask when cutting.Thanks to its durability, Cumaru is a strong alternative to Ipe for decking, and it's also used for flooring, outdoor furniture, docks, cabinetry and heavy construction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is native to eastern and central North America and, along with Oak and Hickory, is one of the most widely used utility hardwoods in the US. It's the tallest-growing of the North American ashes and the one you'll see most often.The color ranges from light beige to light brown, with medium to dark brown grain lines. The grain is usually straight and the texture coarse, often compared to Oak. It's modestly priced, works easily, and glues and finishes well.Ash is tough and shock-resistant, which is why it's the classic wood for tool handles and baseball bats. It's also used for furniture, flooring, boxes and turnings, and occasionally for electric guitar bodies, where it has good resonance. If you're after a lighter ash for guitars, take a look at Swamp Ash.

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a common, reasonably priced hardwood with a pale cream color, often tinted pink or light reddish-brown.The grain is usually straight, sometimes wavy, and the texture medium. It cuts, turns, glues and finishes very well, with a moderate natural luster, and it steam-bends nicely. It's similar to Maple in hardness and density, so it's sometimes used in its place. It can move with changes in humidity, and it isn't durable outdoors.Flat-sawn boards are fairly plain and mostly go to utility work, while quartersawn pieces show an attractive silvery fleck that suits furniture and instruments. Steamed beech veneer takes on a pleasant golden brown.Beech is used for furniture, flooring, turnings and specialty items. See also European Beech.