Name Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as madrone, coast madrone, madrona, madrono, and arbuti tree.
Sources Grows along the Pacific coast of United States and Canada.
Appearance Straight to irregular grain with a fine texture. Light pink to pale reddish brown heartwood and cream colored sapwood with a pink tinge. Resembles pear in texture and apple in color.
Physical Props Heavy, hard, and strong with moderate stiffness and shock resistance. Tends to warp during drying but once dried, it is stable in service. Low decay resistance.
Working Props Works reasonably well in spite of its hardness. Turns well. Gluing can be challenging, especially if wood not completely seasonsed. Stains easily and polishes to a beautiful sheen.
Uses Used for bowls, novelties, turned articles, tool handles, inlay, core stock, paneling, flooring, and interior furniture. Madrone burls prized for decorative veneers and pipes.

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Name Magnolia (Magnolia grandifolia)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as evergreen magnolia, southern magnolia, sweet magnolia, cucumber wood, black lin, bat tree, and bull bay.
Sources Grows in United States and Britain.
Appearance Generally straight grained with a close uniform texture. Light to dark brown heartwood tinged with yellow or green and yellowish white sapwood. Resembles yellow-poplar.
Physical Props Moderately heavy, hard, strong, and stiff with good shock resistance and steam bending properties. Low natural decay resistance.
Working Props Turns and otherwise machines well, resists splitting, and glues very well. Finishes easily - often painted. Requires little sanding. Stable in service.
Uses Used for venetian-blind slats, cabinet frames, interior furniture and trim, toys, novelties, turned bowls, food containers (does not impart taste or odor), boxes, pallets, doors, dowels, veneer, and pulp.

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Name African Mahogany (Khaya spp.)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as akuk, bandoro, benin mahogany, degema, lagos wood, acajou, khaya, Nigerian mahogany, Ivory Coast mahogany, and Gold Coast mahogany.
Sources Grows throughout West Africa.
Appearance Interlocked or straight grain, often with a ribbon figure, and a moderately coarse texture. Creamy-white sapwood and reddish brown heartwood, often with a purple cast.
Physical Props Moderately heavy and hard with medium bending and crushing strength, low stiffness and shock resistance, moderate decay resistance, and good stability in use. Poor steam bending rating.
Working Props Works fairly easily although interlocked, woolly grain can be troublesome. Glues, nails, and screws satisfactorily. Stains and polishes to an excellent finish.
Uses Used for furniture, cabinetry, high class joinery, interior trim, boat building, vehicle bodies, paneling, plywood, and decorative veneers.
Comments Generally cheaper and more abundant than American mahogany.

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