Latin name:

Khaya Ivorensis

Qualities:

Mahogany varies in color from light to medium dark reddish-brown. Mahogany has a medium texture with a straight to irregular grain pattern. Mahogany tends to lighten with age and exposure to sunlight.

Hardness:

Medium

    Poplar

Latin name:

Populus Balsamifera

Qualities:

Poplar is light in color, but contains dramatic color variation and streaking. Poplar is smooth, but exhibits more grain texture than woods like Maple. Paint grade poplar is best suited for paint finishes.

Hardness:

Soft

Latin name:

Querqus Rubra

Qualities:

Red Oak varies in color from reddish-tan to medium brown. It has prominent, open grain patterns ranging from tight and vertical to arched or “cathedral.” Red Oak lacks the patterning and figuring found in White Oak. Red Oak has a medium to coarse texture.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Alnus Rubra

Qualities:

Select Alder is moderately light and ranges in color from white to tan and can have a pinkish-brown tinge. Its straight-grained pattern is similar to Cherry. Select Alder has a fine, uniform texture without knots.

Hardness:

Soft

Latin name:

Juglans Nigra

Qualities:

Walnut is known for its distinctive color variation, from the nearly white sapwood to the heartwood that is deep, dark brown to purplish-black in color. It has a slightly coarse texture with mostly straight and open grain, but may have burls or waves. Walnut produces a greater variety of figure types than other species.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Acer Saccharum

Qualities:

White Maple is near white in color with a trace of reddish-brown. It has a smooth texture with a straight to wavy grain pattern. White Maple may contain dark mineral streaks which are caused by mineral absorption from the soil.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Querqus Alba

Qualities:

White Oak is a dense hardwood that varies in color from light grayish-tan to brown. It is mostly straight-grained with a medium to coarse texture. White Oak tends to have longer rays than Red Oak. It has fewer distinctive marks than other species.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Prunus Serotina

Qualities:

Cherry ranges in color from light to medium reddish-brown. Cherry has a smooth texture with a straight, fine grain pattern. Cherry may contain small dark gum spots which add interest to the grain. Cherry is especially sensitive to light and will darken and redden with exposure to light.

Hardness:

Hard

   Clear Pine (Eastern White Pine)

Latin name:

Pinus Strobus

Qualities:

Clear Pine is pale tan with hues of red and peach. Its grain is open and straight and it has a fine texture. Clear Pine may have some pin knots, but does not have as many knots as Knotty Pine. The species ambers (yellows) with time.

Hardness:

Soft

Latin name:

Pseudotsuga Menziesii

Qualities:

Douglas Fir ranges in color from yellowish-tan to light brown. Douglas Fir has a straight grain pattern which may contain some waves or spirals. It has a medium to coarse texture.

Hardness:

Medium

    European Beech

Latin name:

Fagus Sylvatica

Qualities:

European Beech is light brown with a pinkish hue. European Beech is very smooth with consistent and closed grain. European Beech takes stain well and is ideal for contemporary applications.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Carya Glabra

Qualities:

Hickory ranges in color from cream to pinkish-brown. Hickory has a slightly coarse texture with a straight to wavy grain pattern. Hickory is extremely tough and resilient.

Hardness:

Hard

Latin name:

Alunus Rubra

Qualities:

Knotty Alder is moderately light and ranges in color from white to tan and can have a pinkish-brown tinge. Knotty Alder has a rugged, knotty appearance. Knots vary in size and distribution – from tight, closed knots to split, open knots.

Hardness:

Soft

Latin name:

Pinus Strobus

Qualities:

Knotty Pine is typically selected for its rustic appearance. It is pale tan with hues of red and peach and has a fine, open-grained texture. Knots are tight and close together. The species ambers (yellows) with time.

Hardness:

Soft