Softwoods |
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Butternut (Juglans cinera) | back to the top
Butternut or white walnut is most commonly found in the piedmont and mountains of the southern states. Also known as "White Walnut", this is a straight-grained, coarse-textured wood with a medium brown color. A permanent brown dye can be extracted from the nut and has been historically popular in colonial times to make uniforms. The most common useage, however is in making furniture, carvings and for interior joinery on many woodworking projects.
Cypress (Taxodium distichum) | back to the top
Also known as "Southern cypress", this is a softwood that grows alongside hardwoods and has been grouped and manufactured with hardwoods. It is, however, a softwood and one of the most durable of the softwoods. The sapwood is pale yellow white and the heartwood varies in color from light to dark, reddish brown. Cypress machines very well and it resists warping. It sands very easily and accepts a nice finish. Its main uses include siding, trim, cabinetry, flooring and furniture. During the Middle Ages, many craftsmen built giant cathedral doors out of Cypress.
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) | back to the top
Eastern White Pine has a very soft texture and is extremely easy to work with. It's initial pale white to yellow wood color can eventually transform to a more golden color over time. White Pine will plane, cut and sand very nicely although the grain pattern can sometimes be overbearing. It will tend to tearout if you are not careful. The wood is also considered too soft for easy turning, but its burls, crotches, and knots can be very nice features if you are willing to make the effort. Pine is very popular in country or provincial furniture.
Tennessee Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) | back to the top
Tennessee Cedar is very light, soft textured and easy to work with. It is knotty, however, and extremely brittle so nails are sometimes a problem. It has a wonderful aromatic quality. The color is pale beige to medium reddish-brown. It planes, cuts, sands and finishes easily and the grain pattern is very visible with either a stain or a clear coat. Red Cedar is often used as an inner lining of drawers, chests and other boxes hence the common term "cedar chest".
Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) | back to the top
"Coastal Redwood" or "California Redwood", as it is often called, grows in many areas of California and Oregon. It is red in color and is classified as a softwood. Still, the best quality of redwood comes from the heartwood which is more resistant to deterioration. Redwood burls have an appearance which is referred to as "cluster of eyes". This is a very rare and valuable figure. Redwood is most commonly used to craft outdoor furniture and decorative carvings.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) | back to the top
Western Red Cedar is soft textured wood that is very easy to work with. It has a pale beige to medium brown color and has a grain pattern that is very visible so it is especially good for staining or for a clear coat. Red Cedar grows elegant burls and is very aromatic. This is a wood that is commonly used in outdoor furniture and is much sought after for all levels of the boating industry . Although it is very easy to sand and finish, the dust is toxic and can cause allergic reactions and even cancer.
Yew (Taxus baccata) | back to the top
Yew goes by many names, only a few of which are "English Yew", "Common Yew", "European yew" and "Yewtree". Yew was once the primary wood that used to construct the English longbow and the manufacture of bows in general. Technically one of the softwoods, it is extremely strong and hard foir its classification. It has a wonderful orange-red heartwood and a very light-colored sapwood that is most commonly used in furniture, turning and joinery.
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