Ash (White Ash)
Fraxinus Americana:

White ash is an open grained wood that is strong and very shock resistant. White ash has light brown heartwood with white sapwood. The workability of ash is fair with good finishing qualities and durability. This wood is most desirable for medium to dark finishes. Ash wood typically shrinks 4.9% radial (perpendicular to the growth rings) and 7.8% tangential (parallel to growth rings).

Beech
Fagus Sylvatica:

Beech wood is a very hard and tough wood. Beech is a medium to heavy weight hardwood with an even pale yellow to reddish white color.

Birch
Betula Paprifera:

Birch is a very tough, heavy wood that has medium brown heartwood with light cream colored sapwood. The workability of birch is good as well as the finishing qualities and durability. This wood is most desirable for medium to dark finishes. Birch typically shrinks 6.3% radial and 8.6% tangential.

Cherry
Prinus Serotina:

Black cherry is a fine grain hardwood with a smooth texture. Cherry has elegant heartwood ranging from light brown to dark red, with a white to cream colored sapwood. The workability of cherry is good with excellent finishing qualities and durability. A select grade cherry would be most desirable for light or natural finishes, whereas a regular grade would be desirable for medium to dark finishes. Typically cherry shrinks 3.7% radial and 7.1% tangential.

Interesting Fact: Cherry tends to darken in color with age and exposure to light (when untreated).

Hickory
Carya Illinoensis:

Hickory is an open, straight grain hardwood with a coarse texture. The heartwood of hickory is brownish in color. This wood has poor workability but good finishing qualities and durability. Hickory typically shrinks 7.4% radial and 11.4 tangential.

Interesting Fact: The shavings from hickory are often used for smoking meat.

Mahogany (African Mahogany)
Khaya Ivorensis:

Mahogany has a straight, tight, interlocking grain. Sometimes it has a rough surface. Mahogany is reddish-brown to light brown in color. This wood has fair workability with good finishing qualities and durability.

Maple (Hard Maple)
Acer Saccharum:

Hard maple is typically straight grain, sometimes has a wavy figure and birds eye pattern. Maple has reddish brown heartwood with white sapwood. This wood has good finishing qualities and excellent durability. A select grade maple would be most desirable for light or natural finishes, whereas a regular grade would be desirable for medium to dark finishes. Typically maple shrinks 4.8% radial and 9.9% tangential.

Oak (Red Oak)
Quercus Rubra:

Red oak is a straight, open grained hardwood with a coarse texture. Red oak ranges from pinkish to red in color. This wood has good finishing qualities and durability. A select grade red oak would be most desirable for light or natural finishes, whereas a regular grade would be desirable for medium to dark finishes. Typically red oak shrinks 4.4% radial and 10.1% tangential.

Oak (White Oak)
Quercus Alba:

White oak is a straight grain hardwood with a moderately coarse texture. The workability and finishing qualities are good with excellent durability. This wood is excellent for medium to dark finishes. Typically white oak shrinks 4.4% radial and 8.8% tangential.

Pine (White Pine)
Pinus Strobus:

Eastern white pine is a softwood with straight grain and a soft surface. It is offered in Clear and Knotty grades. This softwood is light yellow to reddish brown in color. Pine has poor durability (when untreated) but good workability and finishing qualities. Clear pine is sorted for uniform color and grain match. Knots will not be accepted. Knotty pine is a distinctive wood due to its solid red knots. Typically white pine shrinks 2.1% radial and 6.1% tangential.

Interesting Fact: White pine was one of the most common and popular woods used during the colonial period. Most first growth white pine was cut down long ago but second growth trees are beginning to mature.

Walnut
Juglanes Nigra:

Black walnut is a tough, medium density wood with straight grain. Walnut is dark brown to purplish black in color. This wood has good workability and durability, and excellent finishing qualities. This wood is most desirable for medium to dark finishes. Typically walnut shrinks 5.5% radial and 7.8% tangential.