Birch is related to beech and oak, and shares many of the same properties. It is a light-colored, durable hardwood. One characteristic unique to birch is its smooth, white bark, which is left on by many furniture manufacturers. This creates a unique, rustic look that’s popular in lodge style decorating.

Like basswood, beech is found primarily in the Northeastern part of North America. It’s also found throughout Europe in England, Scotland, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Denmark, and Austria. Ikea is one well-known company which sells contemporary beech wood furniture. It is classified as a medium- to hard wood, making

American Basswood is a deciduous tree that grows throughout the Northeastern half of North America. It is also sometimes referred to as American Linden. This hardwood is highly resistant to warping and has good gluing capabilities, making it a popular choice for furniture. Like ash, basswood is odor and taste-free;

Ash is one of the most popular hardwoods in furniture construction. It is dense and very strong for its weight (in fact, ash is the wood of choice for baseball bats). Ash is also flexible, especially when steamed, making it a popular choice for bentwood designs. It is a good

Apple trees were common sources of wood for the immigrants who colonized North America. Today, apple wood is typically harvested from trees that have outgrown their usefulness as fruit producers. Because the majority of today’s apple trees are dwarf varieties (they produce the same amount of fruit on a much

Alder is one of the least expensive hardwoods. At one time, it was called “poor man’s maple” or “poor man’s cherry,” and was considered a weed tree in many parts of the country, often used for firewood. Today, with improved milling techniques, alder has become a show wood in its