Name California-Laurel (Umbellularia californica)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as Oregon myrtle, myrtle, bay laurel, pepperwood, and spice tree.
Sources Grows in Oregon and California, United States.
Appearance Straight to wavy grain with a medium texture. Yellowish brown or olive heartwood with pale brown sapwood. Noted for its exquisite figure and color.
Physical Props Hard, moderately heavy, high shock resistance, and low bending strength and stiffness. Very durable heartwood.
Working Props Easily worked by machine or hand tools. Excellent turning properties. Polishes to a beautiful sheen.
Uses Considered one of the best woods for novelties due to its natural beauty. Burls often sliced into cabinet-grade veneer.
Comments One of the most expensive woods in the United States.

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Name Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as catalpa, western catalpa, catawba, and cigar tree.
Sources Grows in eastern to central United States and southern Canada.
Appearance Straight grained with light gray-brown or buff-colored heartwood and light cream-colored sapwood (most lumber consists of heartwood).
Physical Props Soft, weak, and brittle with very good decay resistance and dimensional stability.
Working Props Turns well. Excellent for working with hand tools - almost on par with white pine.
Uses Mainly used for fenceposts, rails, beams, and crating. Also good for turned articles and carving due to softness and stability. Other uses include millwork, framing, forms, furniture, drawer sides, and general purpose construction.
Comments Exudes creosote-like odor.

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Name True Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Includes cedar of Lebanon, Atlantic cedar, Atlas cedar, and deodar cedar.
Sources Grows in northern Africa, middle East, and India. Includes cedar of Lebanon, Atlantic cedar, Atlas cedar, and deodar cedar.
Appearance Generally straight grained although Atlantic and Lebanon cedars often knotty. Fine textured. Light brown resinous heartwood and pale colored sapwood.
Physical Props Medium weight, low shock resistance and stiffness, and generally low strength properties. Stable in service. Decay resistant heartwood.
Working Props Works fairly well with hand or machine tools although knots and in-grown bark can be troublesome. Holds screws and nails well and polishes to a nice finish.
Uses Higher grades used for furniture, cabinetry, doors, and interior joinery. Lesser grades used for house and bridge construction, paving blocks, and outdoor furniture. Other uses include paneling and decorative veneers.

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