types of wood

I use a lot of different wood in my pieces, here are some of the many you will find on this site. Most of the wood I use is locally sourced from property owners, arborists and tree services.

Koa Wood
(Acacia koa)

Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is the second most common tree.

Along with its contrasting light and dark grain tones, Koa’s appearance can have an opalescent sheen that enhances its beauty.

Black Walnut
(Juglans regia)

Black walnut is highly prized for its dark-colored, straight grained, true heartwood. It is heavy, strong, shock resistant and is slightly less dense than Oak. One of the most durable hardwoods in the US, the wood can be kiln dried and holds its shape well after seasoning, making this wood even more attractive for wood working.

The grain figure exposed in Walnut burls (or "burrs" in Europe) or when a crotch (fork) in a walnut log is cut in the plane of its one entering branch and two exiting branches enhances many of the wood pieces

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)
(Acer saccharum)

Incredibly strong, maple has a light, creamy color and a smooth grain pattern. It is considered very durable and is typically polished to bring out a natural sheen. Its diffuse evenly sized pores give the wood a fine texture and even grain.

Oak
(Quercus spp.)

A heavy, strong, light colored hardwood, there are more than 60 species of oak found in the U.S., which can be separated into two basic varieties; white and red. The red variety is also known as black oak (a reference to its bark) and tends to be denser.

Prized for it’s strength, weight, golden color and grain patterning, Oak is a durable and versatile wood that displays beautifully.

Buckeye Wood
(Aesculus spp.)

Colors ranging from blue-black to golden whites with a nice mixture in between, Buckeye is a very difficult and expensive wood to mill. The white sapwood of buckeye merges gradually into the creamy or yellowish white heartwood. The wood is uniform in texture, generally straight grained, light in weight, which is why the burl is typically used for artistic display.