Chestnut Wood Secrets: Rot Can’t Touch This Beast!
My first encounter with chestnut wood came when I was assisting in the restoration of an old barn. The boards were a warm, golden brown with straight, bold grain that caught…
My first encounter with chestnut wood came when I was assisting in the restoration of an old barn. The boards were a warm, golden brown with straight, bold grain that caught…
When I first saw hackberry wood on a stack at a sawmill, I let it be. I was searching for ash, and hackberry just seemed unimportant. The seller pulled me up short:…
If you ask the common folk about “wood decay,” most will assume that it’s a bad thing. Something weak. Something useless. But in the world of woodworking there is one gorgeous exception:…
Hearing the name Indian Laurel, people often think of one thing. In fact, however, this name refers to two very different plants. One is a big shade tree that you will…
Sapele wood and Red Balau are two highly sought-after tropical hardwoods celebrated for their strength, gorgeous appearance, and lifespan. Both are used for building furniture and other home and outdoor projects. Sapele…
There is one straightforward reason why people adore Red Balau wood. It has the appearance of rich, strong wood, but it is not as expensive as premium woods Ipe or Teak. The…
The first time most people notice a silver maple, it is not because of its size. It is the movement. When the wind blows, the leaves flip and shimmer, showing…
Sycamore trees are some of the largest and most noticeable trees in the United States. They often grow near rivers and streams, where they stand tall with thick trunks, peeling…
When it comes to choosing lumber for a project—whether it be for your garden shed or your beautiful indoor furniture, you can’t beat hardwoods over softwoods. Spruce and pine are two…
Hemlock trees are soft, gentle-looking evergreens that can be found in many of the forests of America. These trees, which belong to the Tsuga cenus, are distinctive in their silky needles, graceful…