Species of Wood: Tanoak

Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) has recently gained some commercial value, primarily in California and Oregon. It is also known as tanbark–oak because high-grade tannin was once obtained from the bark in commercial quantities. This species is found in southwestern Oregon and … Continued

Species of Wood: Sycamore, American

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is known as sycamore and sometimes as buttonwood, buttonball-tree, and in the United Kingdom, planetree. Sycamore grows from Maine to Nebraska, southward to Texas, and eastward to Florida.  The heartwood of sycamore is reddish brown; the … Continued

Species of Wood: Sucupira (Angelin, Para-Angelim)

Sucupira, angelin, and para-angelim apply to species in four genera of legumes from South America. Sucupira applies to Bowdichia nitida from northern Brazil, B. virgilioides from Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil, and Diplotropis purpurea from the Guianas and southern Brazil. … Continued

Species of Wood: Spruce, Engelmann

Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) grows at high elevations in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.  This species is also known as white spruce, mountain spruce, Arizona spruce, silver spruce, and balsam. About two-thirds of the lumber is produced … Continued

Species of Wood: Redcedar, Eastern

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) grows throughout the eastern half of the United States, except in Maine, Florida, and a narrow strip along the Gulf Coast, and at the higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountain Range. Commercial production is principally in … Continued

Species of Wood: Port-Orford-Cedar

Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is sometimes known as Lawson-cypress, Oregon-cedar, and white-cedar. It grows along the Pacific Coast from Coos Bay, Oregon, southward to California. It does not extend more than 64 km (40 mi) inland.  The heartwood of Port-Orford-cedar is … Continued

Species of Wood: Pine, Western White

Western white pine (Pinus monticola) is also known as Idaho white pine or white pine. About four-fifths of the wood for lumber from this species is from Idaho and Washington; small amounts are cut in Montana and Oregon.  The heartwood … Continued

Species of Wood: Pine, Southern

A number of species are included in the group marketed as Southern Pine lumber. The four major Southern Pine species and their growth ranges are as follows: (a) longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), eastern North Carolina southward into Florida and westward … Continued

Species of Wood: Pine, Red

Red pine (Pinus resinosa) is frequently called Norway pine and occasionally known as hard pine and pitch pine. This species grows in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and the Great Lake States.  The heartwood of red pine varies from pale … Continued

Species of Wood: Pine, Ponderosa

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is also known as ponderosa, western soft, western yellow, bull, and blackjack pine.  Jeffrey pine (P. jeffreyi), which grows in close association with ponderosa pine in California and Oregon, is usually marketed with ponderosa pine and … Continued