Name Baldcypress (Taxodium distichium)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as cypress, southern cypress, cows cypress, pond cypress, swamp cypress, red cypress, yellow cypress, white cypress, black cypress, and Gulf cypress.
Sources Grows in eastern half of United States.
Appearance Generally straight grained with a coarse texture and a sometimes greasy feel. Variable colored heartwood, ranging from yellowish to brown or black; pale yellowish white sapwood. Varies considerably in color, weight, and durability.
Physical Props Typically light, soft to moderately hard, with moderate strength and stiffness, good dimensional stability and exceptional decay resistance (especially older growth material).
Working Props Works easily with hand and power tools. Holds screws and nails well and glues satisfactorily. Sands smoothly and holds paint and other finishes very well.
Uses Used mainly for outdoor building applications because of its high decay resistance. Other uses include caskets, sash, doors, millwork, tanks, vats, silos, containers for corrosive chemicals, boat building, stadium seats, boxes, and crates.
Comments Localized pockets of fungus decay often create "pecky" cypress which has a rather novel appearance.

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Name Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as lanero, polak, tami, topa.
Sources Grows in Central America, South America, Indonesia, and India (most comes from Ecuador).
Appearance Straight grained and spongy with a pale beige to pinkish color.
Physical Props Low in absolute strength, stiffness, and shock resistance, although quite strong for its weight. Quite stable in use. Possibly the easiest wood to cut, shape and sand. Not suitable for steam bending.
Working Props Finishes fairly well but porous composition soaks up finish.
Uses Used for insulation, sound modifiers, buoyancy aids, model-making, cushioning, core stock.
Comments Softest and lightest commercial hardwood.

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Name Basswood (Tilia americana)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as linden, American linden, lime, lime tree, American white wood.
Sources Grows in Canada and United States.
Appearance Generally straight grained with a fine, uniform texture and medium luster. Creamy-white to brownish heartwood and nearly white sapwood.
Physical Props Soft, light, low in strength, shock resistance and decay resistance. Poor for steam bending.
Working Props Works well with sharp machine or hand tools and is excellent for carving (soft and resists splitting). Glues, screws, nails, stains, and finishes satisfactorily although soft texture can be challenging for staining.
Uses Popular among hobbyists for model ships, airplanes, and other wood carvings. Other uses include boxes, crates, cooperage, furniture, millwork, drawing boards, toys, novelties, pattern making, dowels, handles, venetian blinds, core stock, and decorative veneer.

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