Types of Woods/Species
(Click on each image for a larger view)

Knotty Pine:
Knotty Pine is very distinctive because of its large knots, or defects, which make a striking pattern when the wood is used. Most varieties of pine also have a strong scent, which some consumers find pleasant. There are over one hundred species of pine across the Northern hemisphere, and a number of species that grow in Southern climes as well. Pine trees are evergreen conifers and highly resinous, which accounts for their distinctive odor.

Oak:
A beautiful hardwood chosen by the American consumer 50% of the time as their wood species of choice for furniture. It's three dimensional warmth, uniform color, durability and ease of finishing have built Oaks reputation. Grown in the eastern US, especially in the Appalachians, oak exhibits large open grain. Our regular Oak pieces are made using Red Oak.

Ash:
Ash is hard, tough and very strong but elastic. It has excellent properties. The heartwood of the ash tree often develops brown or olive colored figuring as the tree grows old. extensively used for making bows, tool handles, quality wooden baseball bats and other uses demanding high strength and resilience. It is also often used as material for electric guitar bodies and, less commonly, for acoustic guitar bodies, known for its bright, cutting tone and sustaining quality. They are also used for making drum shells.

Cherry:
Found from Maine to the Appalachians. Finest growth is from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Cherry is an exceptionally elegant hardwood, defined by soft grain patterns and rich tonality. In its natural state the species may exhibit deep reddish-brown heartwood, while having areas that are slightly yellowish, pink, or even gray. Cherry will display some of the following natural “marks” pin knots, sap wood, mineral streaks, and pitch pockets/gum spots. These facets are a vital part of what gives Cherry its beautiful appearance. It is important to note that Cherry can react quite actively to light and will generally darken and redden over time.

Wormy Maple:
Also known as Ambrosia maple, this comes from regular soft maple trees that have been infested by the ambrosia beetle. The small beetle bores a network of tunnels and short galleries called cradles. A fungus is responsible for the black and gray streaks that accompany each tunnel and adjacent wood. The streaks add a unique look to this hardwood without affecting its structural integrity. This wood is mostly found in the central part of Eastern United States.

Curly Maple:
Also known as flamed maple, fiddleback or tiger stripe, is a feature of maple in which the growth of the wood fibers is distorted in an undulating pattern, producing wavy lines known as "flames". This effect is often mistakenly said to be part of the grain of the wood; it is more accurately called "figure", as the distortion is perpendicular to the grain direction. Prized for its beautiful appearance, it is used frequently in the manufacturing of musical instruments, such as violins, and fine furniture.

Spalted Maple:
Spalted maple is one of the most intriguing woods available. Spalted wood is essentially wood that has started to rot. The effect of bacteria, fungus, and mineral deposits create an enormous variety of colors and patterns. Many times thin blank lines (called pencil spalting) will criss-cross the wood. Each piece is unique. Once the wood is harvested and cut into boards, the bacteria and fungus dies and the wood stabilizes, at which time it will no longer continue to rot.

Ingrown Maple:
Ingrown Maple is comprised of pieces of bark that were growing inward. Sometimes associated with a knot, that has become more or less enclosed by the growth of the tree. This is a natural process that makes for very beautiful characteristics for any piece of furniture.


Black Walnut:
Walnut is an exceptionally beautiful and stable hardwood whose traits are strongly defined throughout the history of woodworking. Grain patterns range from straight to varied; providing striking depth when finished in natural to lighter tones. This specie’s native coloration fluctuates from dark brown to a purplish black. Occasionally, portions of the wood may exhibit light brown streaks. As a naturally dark wood specie, Walnut responds in a more subdued manner to most stain colors, though its inherent cellular characteristics make it very receptive to most pigment.

1/4 Sawn White Oak:
All Quarter Sawn White Oak orders on our site are built using White Oak. Very similar to red oak but slightly harder and when 1/4 sawn, provides more "ray flake". Ray flake is the distinctive striping which is seen in antique wood pieces. Quarter Sawn Oak is primarily used on Shaker and Mission style pieces to more accurately represent the look of antique furniture.

Mahogany:
Mahogany varies from yellowish, reddish, pinkish, or salmon colored when freshly cut, to a deep rich red, to reddish brown as the wood matures with age. Mahogany is fine to medium texture, with uniform to interlocking grain, ranging from straight to wavy or curly. Irregularities in the grain often produce highly attractive figures such as fiddle back or mottle. Mahogany polishes to a high luster, with excellent working and finishing characteristics. It responds well to hand and machine tools, has good nailing and screwing properties, and turns and carves superbly. Mahogany is regarded by many as the world's premier wood for fine cabinetry, high-class furniture, trimming fine boats, pianos and other musical instruments, interior trim, and carving. Mahogany is a softer wood.

Hickory:
Hickory wood is hard, stiff, dense and very shock resistant. As stated in the U.S. Forestry Service pamphlet on "Important Trees of Eastern Forests", "there are some woods that are stronger than hickory and some that are harder, but the combination of strength, toughness, hardness, and stiffness found in hickory wood is not found in any other commercial wood." Great wood for Kitchen/Bathroom cabinets and shelves.