Name Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as big pine, gigantic pine, and shade pine.
Sources Grows in western United States, primarily in California and Oregon. Most majestic of the pines.
Appearance Straight and even grained with a relatively coarse texture. Light brown to pale reddish brown heartwood and creamy white sapwood. Very distinctive dark brown resin canals.
Physical Props Light and soft with low strength, shock resistance, stiffness, and good stability in service. Very low decay resistance.
Working Props Works quite easily with machine or hand tools - a joy to work with. Fills the shop with a sweet resinous smell. Holds nails and screws well with little tendency to split. Glues and sands easily. Paints, stains, and finishes fairly well although but high resin content may cause problems with turpentine based sealers.
Uses Used for boxes, crates, sash, doors, frames, general millwork, building construction, siding, bent parts, carvings, foundry patterns, signs, piano keys, organ pipes, paneling, and plywood.

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Name Western White Pine (Pinus monticola)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as Idaho white pine, mountain pine, white pine, and silver pine.
Sources Grows in western United States and Canada.
Appearance Straight and even grained with a medium to coarse texture. Cream colored to light reddish brown heartwood that darkens on exposure and yellowish white sapwood. Similar to eastern white pine in appearance.
Physical Props Light, soft, moderately stiff, low strength and shock resistance, moderately low decay resistance, and good stability in service.
Working Props Turns, planes, and generally works very well with machine or hand tools. Steam-bends quite well. Glues satisfactorily. Holds nails and screws well without need to pre-drill. Paints and finishes fairly well but beware of blotchiness when staining.
Uses Used for building construction, boxes, crates, matches, carvings, patterns, millwork, fixtures, caskets, paneling, and plywood.

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Name Poplar (Populus spp.)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Includes European black poplar, Canadian poplar, balsam poplar, cottonwood, and various varieties of aspen.
Sources Grows throughout N. America, Europe, and Asia.
Appearance Generally straight grained and "woolly" with a fine, even texture. Creamy-white to pale brown heartwood and sapwood.
Physical Props Most species are typically soft and light with low ratings for strength, stiffness, shock resistance, decay resistance, and steam bending. Moderate movement in service.
Working Props Works easily with hand or machine tools but sharp edges recommended. Glues, screws and nails well. Staining can be patchy but paints and varnish are easily applied.
Uses Used for furniture framing, interior joinery, toys, turnery, matches, crates, boxes, pallets, packing, plywood core stock, veneer, and pulpwood.

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