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Macassar Ebony is known for its typically striped appearance, with usual colors typically dominated by deep browns although green, yellow, burgundy, red, orange and even peach secondary colors can highlight more spectacular pieces. Sapwood can range from a dull tan to a light golden brown, or sometimes even a muted orange, peach or light pink. In addition to its constant demand with veneer mills, it is highly-prized by guitar luthiers. Its great density gives the wood tremendous resonance, making it ideally suited for acoustic guitar back-and-sides or fretboards.Macassar Ebony is noted for its striped appearance, although finding long, consistent grain patterns can be difficult on longer pieces. Usually its stripes are fairly large and bold -- often with twists and overlaps -- although occasionally (more desirable) pieces with fine, tight-knit, consistent striping can be found.Like many woods of comparable density, it can be difficult to work and hard on blades, but that is of little concern to those who have experience with this regal ebony species. Southeast Asia produces some astounding exotics; Macassar Ebony is, most certainly, one of its renowned, trademark species.

cabinetry, crafting, pool cues, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Ekki

Azobe is an extremely heavy and dense wood that comes from West Africa. It is a good load-bearing timber for outdoor use and excellent for marine applications. It can be difficult to work but is very durable and resistant to decay.

boatbuilding, bridges, construction, decking, flooring, marine construction, railway sleepers

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Elm - Red

Once a great American utility-wood stable, obtaining long boards of American Elm, presently, can prove to be a most difficult task. Elm's heartwood colors range from a muted tan, to light to medium reddish brown. Its sapwood is easy to distinguish, being considerably paler in color. Recommended applications are those of a utilitarian nature, and preferably indoors; the wood has proven itself to be decidedly "non-durable," and is known to possess poor dimensional stability. Its grains are typically interlocked and its texture is coarse. Although it glues, stains and finishes well, its diffult grains and texture makes resawing a difficult chore, with tearout not uncommon.

boxmaking, furniture, veneer

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Garapa

Garapa is a hard-wearing and durable timber that starts out golden to yellowish brown and ages to a lovely grey with time. It comes from South America and is one of our most popular decking options. We have it in both decking and structural sizes. Despite its hardness and density, it is relatively easy to work and it glues and finishes well.

decking, flooring, pergolas

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Goncalo Alves

Goncalo Alves is known at least as commonly by its popular nickname, "Tigerwood" -- given for its orange-hued primary color, and the dark striped (black or dark brown) which often decorates its surface. Its great durability, impressive strength, stiffness and hardness, generally cooperative working properties (although it can be difficult to glue, due to a high natural oil content), large tree sizes -- which yield sizable boards -- and regular supply, are factors which contribute to making Goncalo Alves a very popular choice among Central & South American woods made available to domestic markets in the US.

Grains can be wavy, interlocked or sometimes straight; its texture is fine, with a good natural luster.

cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, lutherie, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Greenheart

With a specific gravity of 1.03, Greenheart sinks in water. It is one of the heaviest timbers around, difficult to work, and splinters are poisonous. However, it is very durable and one of the best woods for use in a marine environment. Its low acid content means it has a very low corrosive effect on nails, spikes or metal fastenings. It comes from the Northeastern part of South America and as its name suggests, can present with greenish hues.

boatbuilding, decking, fishing rods, marine construction, pool cues, turned objects

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Hickory

Hickory is perhaps best known for its pivotal role in "the great American past-time," as it remains the primary wood used in the production of baseball bats. It is also widely used as tool handles. Its heartwood is usually a light to medium brown, often with a reddish hue. Its sap is easily discernible, with a light cream to light yellow coloration. Although it is a non-durable wood, it is renowned for its toughness; it's considered to be among the strongest of hardwoods indigenous to the US.

Despite being a predominantly straight-grained wood (though sometimes wavy), Hickory is considered to be difficult to work. It has a medium texture, with open, medium-sized pores.

flooring, handles, utility lumber

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Holly

Holly is an interesting domestic wood. Those who know of it prize it for its consistent pale white color which typically slows little to no discernible grain patterns. Although it has traditionally been used as an ornamental or accent wood, it has enjoyed a recent surge of popularity among turners for its fine aesthetic and turning properties. In certain applications, it has been dyed black and used as an ebony substitute -- although it lacks the requisite density for most musical applications.Holly needs to begin the drying process almost immediately after it's cut, as, otherwise, fungal discoloration can occur. For this reason, it is generally harvested during the winter months and not left to air dry for very long before making it into a kiln.The wood is non-durable, so its use is exclusively confined to indoor applications. Products and items produced with this wood do best when a hardening protective finish is applied, and the wood is very good at maintaining its original color when such a clear finish is administered.The wood glues, stains and finishes well, however it can be difficult to work on account of its sometimes interlocked grains and the numerous knots that are commonly present.

inlay, specialty items

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Hormigo

Granadillo is known throughout Central America as "the wood that sings." It has long been considered a quite viable "rosewood alternative," receiving greater attention and steadily growing in popularity since the exportation ban on Brazilian Rosewood, almost 25 years ago. Its density falls slightly under the mark of a typical rosewood, while not being near as oily. Granadillo is a quite beautiful wood. It has a base of brown-toned hues, highlighted by a variety of colors which can range from muted purples to reds, oranges and golds, Its pleasing aesthetics and great working and finishing properties make it a popular choice with guitar and furniture builders, alike. It has a natural luster and a high degree of chatoyance often emerges after finish sanding.

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Iatandza

Iatandza is a durable timber with a coarse texture that comes from West Africa. It is not a common species, but is fairly durable and not too difficult to work. It's mahogany type grain with a walnut type colour could make for an interesting floor or some custom cabinetry.

cabinetry, flooring, specialty wood items

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Igem

This species from the Philippines is from the same genus as our South African Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) and shares many of the same characteristics of said species. It is pale yellow and easy to work. It would make a wonderful floor or gorgeous ceiling, but we wouldn't recommend it for a high traffic area due to its lack of durability.

boxes, crates, plywood, specialty wood items, trim, turned objects, veneer

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Imbuia

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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Ipe

Ipe is known throughout its indigenous Central & South American regions as an extremely dense, durable wood, but also one that is quite difficult to work. The wood encompasses a variety of different species of the Handroanthus genus, so aesthetics and grains patterns can vary dramatically. The wood can have a deep chocolate brown color with reddish tint, or sometimes a greenish tint accented by traces of green, yellow, orange and/or red color. Often, its aesthetics are enhanced by rugged, dark contrasting striping.

Grains can be straight, irregular or interlocked; straight-grained pieces plane and turn well, although cutting tools and blades should always be at their very sharpest. Its texture can range from fine to medium, and it generally has a good natural luster.

construction, decking, flooring, handles, turnings, veneer

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Iroko

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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Ironwood - Black

The Ironwood tree grows mainly in the Tsitsikamma forests around Knysna. With a Janka hardness of over 13000N, it can be a difficult timber to work, but it is very durable and extremely strong. It can be prone to cracking and splitting and pre-drilling is recommended when nailing or screwing. The variegated colour resembles Wild Olive (it comes from the same genus) somewhat and provides for stunning finished pieces.

boxes, crates, plywood, specialty wood items, trim, turned objects, veneer

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Ironwood - Desert

Desert Ironwood (Palo Fierro in Spanish) only grows in the Sonoran Desert in Southwestern Arizona and the Northwestern part of Mexico.? It is one of the hardest and densest woods in the world. It ranges massively in color and can have some stunning figures as a result.

carving, knife handles, turnings

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Jarrah

This Eucalyptus species comes from West and S-W Australia. It is difficult to dry, machine and work with hand tools. It is very hard and heavy, but glues and polishes well. It is highly durable and as a result is commonly used for exterior applications in Australia. Jarrah burl is highly desired by woodturners for its rich, warm colour and beautiful grain.

countertops, decking, flooring, furniture, turnings

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Jatoba

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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Jelutong

The trees which produce this light-colored Southeast Asian softwood are better known for their sap being tapped and used in the production of latex. The wood is popular with carvers who know of it, as its lack of density makes it very easy to work, the wood has excellent dimensional stability and it holds a stain or finish very well. Any applications should be limited to those of the indoor variety, as the wood is decidedly non-durable.

Its generally straight (though occasionally interlocked) grains, fine to medium-fine, consistent texture and nice natural luster render exceptional working and finishing properties.

carving, specialty items, utility lumber

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Karri

High bending and crushing strengths and stiffness. Difficult to work with hand tools, and has a moderate to severe blunting effect on machine tools. It can be glued, stained and polished satisfactorily.

boatbuilding, construction, flooring

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Katalox

Although not a true Diospyros ebony species, Katalox earned its "Royal Mexican Ebony" nickname due to its great density (which actually supersedes all true ebonies, in that regard) and the fact that, as it ages, it turns considerably darker than when its initially cut and dried. It is known to be generally very durable, making the wood ideal for a variety of applications -- although it can be very difficult difficult to re-saw (density) and glue, due to its typically high natural oil content. The grains can be straight, irregular or interlocked; it's texture ranges from fine to medium, with a nice natural luster.Despite its somewhat uncooperative working characteristics, Katalox's stability and handsome appearance make the wood a popular choice with guitar luthiers and fine furniture craftsmen, alike. Its heartwood is among the most durable of all the exotics in the world, but the sapwood can be susceptible to bug holes.

fine furniture, flooring, inlay, lutherie, specialty items, turnings

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Keruing

This hard and heavy timber comes from Southeast Asia. It is high in bending and crushing strength. Heavy resin exudation can be a visual problem, but actually aids in preserving the timber. As a result it is excellent as an outdoor utility timber.

flooring, furniture, outdoor utilities

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Kiaat

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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Kingwood

Brazilian Kingwood is the second most-dense of the Dalbergia species (with African Blackwood being first). As is the case with many such woods of exceeding density, logs have a tendency to split from the center, outward, after being cut. Because of this, it is rare to find boards of any substantial size without defects; cracks and internal checks and tear-out are not uncommon. Grains are typically straight, though they can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. It has a fine, even texture and a high natural luster.

Its heartwood can vary from a muted orange- to reddish-brown, with dark brown or black thin stripes. Sapwood typically has a yellow tint and is commonly seen in boards.

gun stocks, handles, inlay, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Kossipo

furniture, joinery, shopfitting

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Lacewood

Leopardwood/Lacewood is so named for the tightly-grouped flecks which cover its surface. It is almost exclusively quartersawn, which displays its dramatic flecking in leopard-spot-like patterns (thus, the name). It is medium to dark, reddish brown in color.. Prior to being sanded, the flecked portion's slightly elevated positioning on the wood's surface gives it a true 3D look. It is fairly difficult to work and it's uneven texture can cause tearout issues when boards are planed.

cabinetry, fine furniture, musical Instruments, turned objects, veneer

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Larch - Siberian

Our European Larch comes all the way from Siberia. It works readily with hand and machine tools, with moderate strength in all categories. It takes stain, paint or varnish well. It is a very popular lower priced outdoor cladding species. Knots are common, but usually small and often seen as a desirable "defect", as they gives the wood its fashionably rustic look.

exterior cladding, fence posts, veneer, window frames

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Leadwood

So named for its significant weight and density, this South African wood is seldom seen in the US in lumber form. Its heartwood is a robust medium to dark brown (sometimes with a reddish tint), and is known to darken with age; sapwood is pale yellow. Grains are straight or irregular, and knots are not uncommon. Its texture is fine and consistent, and it displays a pleasant natural luster after fine sanding.

Leadwood is an excellent wood for any outdoor applications where strength, insect resistance and durability are required. Its tremendous density makes it difficult to plane and hard on cutting tools and saw blades -- and its high natural oil content can make it difficult to glue -- but its tightly uniform, fine grains allows it to turn, sand and finish beautifully.

carving, furniture, specialty items, turnings

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Lenga

Lenga comes from the Southern Andes, Chile and Argentina. It is similar in many respects to American Cherry, it is easily worked and finished, albeit slightly lighter in colour.

boxes, furniture, specialty wood items, trim, veneer

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Lime

Native to the UK and Europe, Lime wood works easily, glues well, takes stain and all finishing processes well. Inclined to be woolly, so requires thin, sharp cutting tools. Considered the finest wood for carving, this is the wood was made famous by Grinling Gibbons centuries ago in the royal courts and churches of England. It has the ability to resist splitting in any cutting direction. Also used for soundboards, piano keys and toys.

carving, musical Instruments, plywood, turned objects, veneer

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Longhi

Longhi is an African wood with similar working properties to its more well-known cousin, Anegre. Its color varies from a greyish-white to beige to pinkish-brown color, which slightly darkens with age and UV-ray exposure. Its generally light appearance makes sapwood difficult to distinguish. Its grains are typical straight (though occasionally interlocked) and its texture ranges between fine and medium-fine. It can sometimes possess mottled or subtle tiger-striped figuring.

The wood must be carefully dried, as it is susceptible to fungus. It is considered to be moderately durable, and moderately stable. Longhi has a solid strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it a popular choice for flooring and decking.

cabinetry, decking, flooring, furniture