AMENDOIM

Amendoim also known as Brazilian Oak is found throughout southern South America. The average tree is 50 to 75 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 feet. The heartwood is light to medium reddish brown with darker stripes. Amendoim is sold primarily for flooring planks and not readily available in lumber form, placing it on the higher end of the scale in pricing.

ANDIRA

Andira/Andiroba also know Crabwood from Central and South America. Tree size is 80 to 100 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 feet. The heartwood is a pale reddish brown darkening with age. Decay resistance and moderately priced.

(ASH) White Ash

White Ash also known as American White Ash is found primarily in Eastern North America. A mature tree usually grows from 65 to 100 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 2 to 5 feet. The color of the wood is usually white to a light brown. The wood is very common and easily found in the United States.

BLOODWOOD

Bloodwood also referred to as Satine comes from tropical South America. A mature tree ranges from 80 to 150 feet in height and reaches 4 to 7 feet in diameter of the trunk. The wood is very hard and dense. The color is a dark brownish red to a vivid red. The wood is widely available, however boards that are vivid red are in high demand and tend to be very costly.

BOCOTE

Bocote comes from Mexico and Central America, the mature tree grows 65 to 100 feet high and 3 to 5 feet trunk diameter. The heartwood is yellowish brown in color with dramatic dark brown to almost black stripes. The grain pattern can be quite striking, giving the impressions of knots. Because of demand for such beautiful patterned wood the price tends to be fairly high.

BROWN HEART

Brown Heart also known as Wacapou, can be found in Northeastern South America. The tree averages 65 to 100 feet tall and the trunk diameter is usually 2 to 3 feet. The color of the heartwood is medium to dark brown with lighter brown lines.   Because of the availability (is listed as critically endangered) the price usually ranges from moderate to high.

BUBINGA

Bubinga, also known as Kevazingo, is found in Equatorial Africa, these trees grow to 150 feet tall and diameter ranges 3 to 6 feet. The heartwood ranges from a pinkish to dark reddish brown with purple or black streaks. The price is moderate but ranges higher for nice grain patterns.

BUTTERNUT

Butternut also known as White Walnut can be found primarily in the Eastern United States. A mature tree will grow to 100 feet and 3 foot in diameter. The heartwood is fairly soft and is usually light to medium tan with a reddish tint. While it is related to the Black walnut tree it is a much softer and lighter in weight.

(CEDAR) RED CEDAR

Cedar a very aromatic wood is also known as aromatic red cedar or Eastern red cedar, can be found throughout Eastern North America. The average mature tree grows from 100 to 115 feet high and 3 to 4 foot in diameter. The heartwood tends to be a reddish or violet brown, with the sapwood being a pale yellow or white in color can be found throughout to heartwood. Because of its pleasant Oder and repellent to may insects and moths the wood is often used to line closets or chest.

COCOBOLO

Cocobolo is also called cocobola is found in Central America. A mature tree will reach heights from 45 to 60 feet with a trunk diameter ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet. The color can range from yellow, orange, red, and shades of brown with streaks of black or purple. Because, the trees are small in size, Cocobolo is in limited supply, and is also in relatively high demand and is likely to be quite expensive.

(CHERRY) BLACK CHERRY

Black Cherry also referred to as cherry and American Cherry, is found throughout Eastern North America. The mature tree grows to 50 to 100 feet high with a trunk diameter of 3 to 5 feet. The heartwood is a light pinkish brown when first cut, darkening to a deeper golden reddish color. Cherry is one of the most workable woods known and preferred by many woodworkers. When boards appear with curly or figured grain they often demand a higher price.

(CHERRY) FIGURED CHERRY

Figured Cherry is not a specific cherry wood but can be any cherry that has a unique or swirling pattern made by the grain running throughout the wood.

GREENHEART

Greenheart is found in northeastern South America. The average tree grows to 75 to 100 feet high with a trunk diameter of 1.5 to 2 feet. Because of its durability it is often used in marine environments. It is a very hard, hardwood and can be difficult to work with. The heartwood tends to be a pale olive green color with dark streaks running throughout. Because of its durability and strong resistance to weather and marine demand it seldom found in the United States, making it fairly pricey when located.

IROKO

Iroko is found in tropical Africa with a mature tree ranging from 100 to 130 feet in height and the trunk diameter from 3 to 5 feet. The heartwood is usually a yellow to golden or medium brown in color and will darken over time, when polished has a very iridescent look. It is considered very durable and is often used in place of teak.

JATOBA

Jatoba also known as Brazilian Cherry can be found in Central America, Southern Mexico, Northern South America and the West Indies. The average tree grows to 100 to 130 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 2 to 4 feet. The color of the heartwood varies from a light orangish brown to a darker reddish brown and usually darkens with age. Because of its density it can be difficult to work with. Available in satisfactory sizes and widths and usually low in price.

KATALOX

Katalox also known as Mexican Royal Ebony can be found in Southern Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. The average tree grows 100 to130 feet high with a trunk diameter of 2 to 4 feet. The color of the heartwood is dark radish brown to nearly black and sometimes a purple hue to it. The wood can be difficult to work with because of its high density and oily nature. The wood is priced in a mid to upper range.

LEOPARDWOOD / LACEWOOD

Leopardwood comes from Central and South America with the mature tree growing to 100 to 130 feet high and 2 to 33 feet trunk diameter. Leopardwood has a very conspicuous flecking the gives this wood its namesake. The wood is a medium to dark reddish brown in color with grey or light brown rays, which resemble the spots of a leopard. It is very similar to Lacewood except the flecks tend to be larger than those found in Lacewood. Not a lot is imported to the United States making it a little higher in price.

LYPTUS

Lyptus is a hybrid grown only on plantations in Brazil. The wood is made from two species of Eucalyptus tree, developed for quick harvesting. A mature tree (which only takes 15 years) grows 65 – 100 feet high and has a trunk diameter of 3 to 4 feet. The heart wood ranges in color from light salmon pink to a dark brownish red. Lyptus is actually a trademark name owned by the Brazilian company Fibria.

(MAPLE) AMBROSIA MAPLE

Much like spalted maple and other forms of figured maple, Ambrosia Maple is technically not a specific species of Maple, but rather a general description of any type of maple that has been infested by ambrosia beetles. The beetles bore into the tree and with it bring fungus that discolors the wood. Ambrosia Maple is considered a decorative feature which gives the wood additional character giving it greater value.

(MAPLE) BIRDSEYE MAPLE

Birdseye maple is not a distinct species of maple, but rather, it’s a figure that’s occasionally found in Sugar Maple. Given the name because of its unique figuring looking like birds eyes. The figure is reportedly caused by unfavorable growing conditions for the tree. The Sugar Maple Attempts to start numerous new buds to get more sunlight, but with poor growing conditions the new shoots are aborted, and afterward a number of tiny knots remain. This is most often found in northern Michigan and Maine.

(MAPLE) HARD MAPLE

Hard maple also known as sugar maple or rock maple, can be found in northeastern North America. A mature tree ranges from 80 to 115 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet trunk diameter. Unlike most other hardwood the sapwood is more commonly used for lumber than the heartwood. The sapwood ranges in color from white to a cream color. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish brown. Hard maple also can produce a curly pattern (known as curly maple) or a figured pattern (known as Birdseye maple) both demand a much higher price.

MARBLEWOOD

Marblewood also referred to as Angelim Rajado and comes from Northeaster South America. A mature tree reaches 65 to 100 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. The heartwood is a yellow to golden brown, with irregular brown, purple, or black streaks giving a very distinct look. Because of its extreme hardness and density it tends to be difficult to work often causing chips or breaks out.

OSAGE ORANGE

Osage Orange also known as Horse Apple, Hedge Apple, and Bois, A mature tree stands 50 – 60 feet high and a trunk diameter of 1 to 2 feet. Osage Orange is found in Southern central United States. The heartwood is golden to bright yellow which usually darkens over time. Usually the trees are small, crooked and knotty, making it difficult to find good lengths for lumber. Because of this it is usually pricey.

PADAUK

Padauk also known as African Padauk or vermillion, can be found in central and tropical West Africa. A mature Padauk tree grows from 100 to 130 feet high and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. The heartwood can vary in color from a deep brownish red to a pinkish orange. If the wood is not sealed the color will fade to a dark brown over time.

(PALM) BLACK PALM

Black Palm also known as Palmyra Palm is found in tropical Asia and Africa. The mature tree will grow 65 to 100 feet tall and a trunk 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Black Palm is a very hard making it difficult to work with. The color is usually black fibers embedded in a lighter tan or light brown body. It is not considered either a hard wood or soft wood but falls into the category of a monocots, which also includes bamboo, corn and banana grass. Even though the mature tree is several feet across only the outside of the tree can be used for lumber, as the inside is very soft and unfigured. As a results only narrow strips of the wood is available and are usually crooked and twisted.

(PALM) RED PALM

Red Palm also known as Coconut Palm can be found throughout to tropics worldwide. A mature tree will range from 65 to 100 feet tall and the trunk right around 1 foot in diameter. The color is reddish brown fibers embedded in a lighter tan or light brown body. While it is very hard making it difficult to work with, it is not considered a either a hardwood or softwood but into the family of monocots which include bamboo, banana grass and corn. The tree is grown throughout the tropics for its fruit and only older trees are typically harvested for wood after they no longer bear fruit (50 to 70 years.)

PAU FERRO

Pau Ferro also known as: Morado, Bolivian Rosewood and Santos Rosewood. Found in Tropical South America, primarily in Brazil and Bolivia. The mature tree ranges from 65 to 100 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 3 to 5 feet. Heartwood is varied, ranging from reddish or orange to a dark violet or brown, usually with contrasting darker black streaks. Due to availability the price tends to range in the higher moderate price range.

PURPLE HEART

Purpleheart or also known as Amaranth can be found in Central and South America, from Mexico down to southern Brazil. The mature tree will grow from 100 to 170 feet tall with the trunk diameter ranging from 3 to 5 feet. When freshly cut the heartwood is a grayish /purplish brown, with age the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. Because the wood is so very hard it can be difficult to work with.

RED GRANDIS

Red Grandis is a plantation species grown in Uruguay in certified forest and is regulated. Companies have been refining the species for more than 20 years. The result is a mature forest of over 66,000 acres in inland Uruguay that is trying to produce a defect free species. The species bears a close resemblance to genuine mahogany. As the wood is exposed to air and finished it takes on a red hue looking much like age old mahogany.RED GRANDISRED GRANDIS

RED HEART

Red Heart also known as Chakte Kok grows in Southern Mexico to the southern Brazil and Paraguay. Its color is striking any place from watermelon red to orange or pinkish. This wood tends to darken with age. The grain can vary and usually is quite different from board to board. The tree is on the small size only growing 50 to 65 feet tall and measuring 1 to 1.5 feet in diameter. Because of the lack in size in boards it usually tends to be in the upper price range of imported woods.

ROSEWOOD

Burmese Rosewood grows in Southeast Asia. The average tree is small only growing to 50 to 100 feet tall and measures 1 to 3 feet in diameter. The heartwood varies in color from medium orange to a darker reddish brown with black streaks. When working the wood it has a distinct rosewood scent. This rosewood is not as scarce as many of the other endangered rosewoods. However, it still is in the upper price range of imported wood.

SAPELE

Also known as Sapelli, a common wood coming from Africa. The tree grows to 100 to 150 feet high and the trunk diameter is from 3 to 5 feet. The heartwood ranges from a dark reddish brown to purplish brown in color. Sapele is known and used for its wide range of grain patterns. It becomes very iridescent when polished almost giving it a three dimensional look.

SATINWOOD

East Indian Satinwood also known as Ceylon Satinwood. The tree grows only 40 to 50 feet high with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. The heartwood range from light golden yellow to orangish brown. The wood tends to have a mottled or rippled grain pattern, resembling ripples in satin fabric, lending to its name. Can be difficult to work with because of its interlocking grain. The wood species is increasingly scarce, figured pieces if you can find them will be extremely expensive.

SOUTH AMERICAN MAHOGANY

South American Mahogany also known as Honduran Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany and Brazilian Mahogany. This mahogany can be found from southern Mexico all the way to central South America and is commonly grown on plantations. The mature tree reaches 150 to 200 feet high with a trunk diameter of 3 to 6 feet. Heartwood color can vary from a pale pinkish brown to a darker reddish brown. Mahogany also exhibits an optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy (the color of the wood appears to change as you look at the wood from different angles).

TAMARIND

Tamarind native to topical India; widely planted throughout tropical regions worldwide. While the heartwood is a deep reddish brown, the sapwood is a pale yellow to cream color. Tamarind trees are valued for its fruit and not usually cut for lumber, making it a rare and difficult wood to find. The heartwood is seldom ever used as it rots from the inside out of the mature trees leaving the sapwood which is often splalted and discolored by the time the tree is harvested for wood. When found it is very expensive, but usually has great detail within.

TIGERWOOD

Tigerwood is also known as Goncalo Alves and Jobillo and can be found from Mexico southward to Brazil. A mature tree will reach from 100 to 130 feet in height and a trunk diameter from 3 to 5 feet. The heartwood is typically medium reddish brown with irregularly spaced streaks of dark brown to black. The wood is very dense and hard making it somewhat more difficult to work with.

(WALNUT) BLACK WALNUT

Black Walnut is found primarily in the Easter United States, a mature tree grows to about 120 feet tall and the trunk is about 3 feet in diameter. The heartwood can range from a light pale brown to a dark chocolate with darker streaks running through. While black walnut is very prevalent in the United States there is great demand from prime lumber and can demand a high price.

(WALNUT) PERUVIAN WALNUT

Peruvian Walnut also known as tropical walnut or Nogal and can be found in Southern Mexico, Central and South America. A mature tree grows to 30 to 60 feet in height and trunk diameter 2 to 3 feet. The heartwood tends to be darker than other walnut woods and also the grain tends to be straighter. While the wood is fairly available it is still higher priced than American Walnut.

WENGE

Wenge come from Africa (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zaire). The mature tree grows to be 60 to 90 feet high and 3 to 4 feet trunk diameter. The heartwood is very dark brown with black streaks throughout, usually when finished it becomes very dark. As the availability of Wenge is dwindling the price keeps rising.

(WENGE) LATI or WHITE WENGE

Lati also known as White Wenge and Yaya comes from Western and Central Africa. The mature trees range from 100 to 150 feet hide and the trunk is 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Lai heartwood is a light yellowish brown which tends to darken to a more golden yellow over time. It is not commonly seen or imported into the United States, making it rather expensive whenfound.

WORMY CHESTNUT

Chestnut once found throughout the United States is now extinct. The trees were killed by the chestnut blight in the early 1900’s. The insects leaving holes and discoloration in the wood. Most of the trees was harvested for lumber. Because the blight wiped out most of the mature trees the lumber is rare and valuable. There is a small plantation of disease free chestnut near Travers City Michigan. They are not selling the lumber at this time.

YELLOWHEART

Yellowheart also known as Pau Amarello and comes from Brazil. The mature tree ranges from 100 to 130 feet high and 3 to 5 feet trunk diameter. The heartwood ranges from pale to golden yellow. The wood is commercially imported and widely harvested throughout Brazil.

ZEBRAWOOD

Zebrawood also referred to as Zebrano is found in West Africa. A mature tree is about 150 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 4 to 5 feet. The heartwood is a light brown or cream color with dark blackish brown streaks resembling zebra’s stripes. Lack of supply makes Zebra wood fairly expensive.

(Zebrawood) EBIARA

Ebiara also known as Red Zebrawood, Belinia and Poculi comes from West Africa. The average tree grows to 100 to 130 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 3 to 5 feet. The heartwood ranges in color from a golden yellow brown to a reddish brown, with dark black streaks and stripes running through out.  Somewhat new to the wood market usually is moderate priced.