Below are descriptions and snapshots of the woods we work with most frequently. All of them are hardwoods from the Appalachian Mountains. We can also order other woods if you have a preference. Just contact us and ask!

ASH

The heartwood of the ash tree is light gray or brown, while the sapwood is creamy white. It has a distinctive wide-open straight grain, and a coarse texture, with occasional brown streaks. It has good strength, toughness, stiffness and hardness for it's relatively light weight. Ash steam-bends very well and is quite elastic.

BIRCH

Birch has reddish brown heartwood and light yellow sapwood. It is straight grained, with a fine, even texture. Birch is a hard wood of medium weight, and steam-bends very well.

BUTTERNUT

Butternut has light brown heartwood, which has been described as a "warm buttery tan." The sapwood is thin, usually about one inch wide, and is nearly white. The grain is generally straight, with a coarse, but soft texture. Butternut is soft and moderately light in weight.

CHERRY

Cherry grows in all but the most Southern states. Its heartwood varies from red to deep reddish brown, with a lighter sapwood. The grain is fine and wavy, and some mineral streaks are common. Cherry is a heavy and strong wood, with moderate stiffness.

HICKORY

Hickory's heartwood is red brown, with a wide, nearly white sapwood. It is generally straight grained, and coarse textured. It has excellent elasticity and is good for steam-bending. Hickory is one of the heaviest, hardest and strongest woods in the U.S.

MAPLE

The heartwood and sapwood of maple are both light creamy brown to white, with occasional light brown streaks. It usually has a straight grain, but the grain can be curly or wavy. It is a closed grain wood, and stays very smooth after finishing. Maple is moderately hard, heavy and strong, and resists denting fairly well.

OAK

Oak's heartwood is pink to reddish brown, while the sapwood is a light gray. It is straight grained, with a characteristic silver grain in quarter sawn wood. White Oak is somewhat more figured than Red Oak. It is heavy, hard and strong, with outstanding wear-resistance. The heartwood is very durable, and steam bends very well.

POPLAR

The heartwood of the poplar tree is pale olive green to brown, with occasional purple mineral streaks. The sapwood is creamy white. It is a straight grained wood, with a fine, even texture. Poplar is fairly soft and lightweight, but moderately stiff with good strength.