HONDURAS MAHOGANY swienta macrophylla
One of the two true mahoganies (the other is Cuban mahogany) , mahogany has been very popular since it
was discovered by early new world explorers. It is fairly soft with a color that ranges from salmon
when freshly cut to a deep red-orange when aged. Often straight grained, it sometimes occurs with
outstanding mottled, bee's wing, and ribbon stripe figure. It is one of the most stable of all hardwoods
and is noted for being available in very large timbers.

The name mahogany is often misused on other less expensive tropical hardwoods. True mahogany can often
be identified by the rows of rays sideways to the grain giving it an almost cloth-like appearance. Is african
mahogany a true mahogany? I would say no, but it often has a striking ribbon figure and is a quality
cabinet wood.

WHITE OAK quercus alba
A strong open pored wood of light color. When quarter sawn the rays give a flake figure popular
on mission style furniture. It is usually lighter than the red oak commonly used as flooring and can
be distinguished by a foam-like substance (tyloses) filling its rather large pores. Because of this
white oak is used for watertight barrels. It is a fine secondary wood for drawer sides, bottoms,
and rails.

SUGAR MAPLE acer saccharum
Also called hard maple or rock maple. A hard, heavy, fine grained wood usually light to medium
tan in color. Moderate stability. Some maple has outstanding fiddleback or flame figure. Very rarely
it possesses a "birds eye" figure found in few other species. Hard and soft maple can sometimes be
difficult to distinguish.

WALNUT juglans nigra
American black walnut has the distinctive tan to dark brown color that makes it famous. It is of
medium texture and weight and is fairly stable. It is often highly figured. Similar woods are claro
walnut and butternut.

EBONY diospyros ebenum
The various species of ebony vary from a streaked brown to an almost jet black. It is very fine grained,
heavy, and strong with moderate stability. Ebony is one of the most expensive woods available.

YELLOW POPLAR  litriodendron tulipfera
Also known as tulip poplar or tulip. It is a traditional secondary wood in american furniture. It
is fine grained, light, and moderately stable. When fresh it often has prominent green streaks.

ROSEWOOD dalbergia  nigra
Various species. All are dark, strong, and heavy with moderate stability. Brazilian rosewood
is virtually unobtainable today due to trade restrictions. East Indian has a deep brick red to
purple color and is available but expensive.

 copyright 2003 L M Watts Furniture