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Common Name: |
Birch |
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| Botanical Name: |
Betula papyrifera |
| Other Names: |
Paper birch, White birch, American Birch. |
| Species distribution: |
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Wood Characteristics:
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Tough, heavy wood
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Workability:
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Good  . Plywood
veneer tends to splinter when cut. |
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Finishing Qualities:
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Good . Grain may
tend to stain unevenly. Try applying a "spit coat" to reduce blotching.
Scratches may show us when finish is applied.
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Durability:
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Good . |
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Comments:
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Birch is one of the most common woods found in entry level
furniture and cabinetry.
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Uses:
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Used by American Indians to make Birch Bark Canoes.
Plywood, furniture, cabinets, toys, and veneer.
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Price:
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Inexpensive
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Common Name: |
Black Locust |
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| Botanical Name: |
Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Other Names: |
False acacia, Locust trees, Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Species distribution: |
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Tree Characteristics:
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Black Locust is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 80 feet
tall. It is easily recognized by its leaves and paired spines up to1/2 inch long.
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Wood Characteristics:
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Very high density wood
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Finishing Qualities:
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Good |
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Durability:
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Resistance to wood decay fungi; poor resistance to insect
attack(Megacyllene robiniae Forster)
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Uses:
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Lumber, poles, fenceposts, paper, boxes, crates, pegs, stakes,
and firewood.
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Price:
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-
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Common Name: |
Bocote, cordia, light American cordia, freijo,
Laurel, Spanish elm
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| Botanical Name: |
Cordia alliodora |
| Other Names: |
African Cherry, Baku, Makore, Douka, Ukola |
| Species distribution: |
Tropic regions |
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Tree Characteristics:
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Bocote is a large canopy tree, with some specimens in the
natural rainforest reaching up to 120 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter, with a
straight cylindrical bole above a narrow buttress.
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Wood Characteristics:
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Has an oily or waxy appearance. Luster is variable with a
fine to medium texture, grain variable.
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Workability:
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It is easy to work, responds well to both hand and machine
tools, is easily glued, and takes nails and screws well. It also polishes to a
smooth finish, and stains and glues well.
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Finishing Qualities:
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Good |
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Durability:
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Highly resistant to insects
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Stability:
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Excellent  |
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Comments:
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Bocote is sometimes used as a substitute for mahogany, teak
or walnut.
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Uses:
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Boat decking, fine cabinetry, fine furniture, decorative
and figured veneer, moldings, inlay work, joinery, and turnery
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Price:
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Expensive
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Common Name: |
Butternut |
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| Botanical Name: |
Juglanes cinerea |
| Other Names: |
White Walnut, oil nut |
| Species distribution: |
Central Africa along the western coast Sierra Leone to Cameroon |
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Natural Characteristics:
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Straight grain with a coarse texture.
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Workability:
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Good  .
Cutters must be sharp. Grain may tend to fuzz up when sanded. Does not bend well. |
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Finishing Qualities:
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Excellent  . |
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Durability:
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Good . |
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Stability:
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Excellent |
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Uses:
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Church Alters, boat trim, veneers, the nut is used to make
a sweet syrup.
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Price:
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Moderate
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Common Name: |
Cedar, Alaska Yellow |
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| Botanical Name: |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis |
| Other Names: |
Pacific Coast Yellow Cedar, Fake Cypress, Yellow Cypress |
| Species distribution: |
Central Africa along the western coast Sierra Leone to Cameroon |
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Wood Characteristics:
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Straight grain with a fine tight texture.
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Workability:
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Excellent |
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Finishing Qualities:
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Good |
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Durability:
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Fair  |
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Stability:
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Excellent |
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Comments:
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Distinctive cedar odor which tends to fade over time.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar is getting harder to find.
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Uses:
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Boat building, furniture, and veneers
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Price:
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Moderate
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