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Gene Wengert

Gene Wengert, “The Wood Doctor” has been training people in efficient use of wood for 45 years. He is extension specialist emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Wood Explorer

Koa: Beautiful, plentiful, and widely useful Hawaiian wood

Koa (Acacia koa) is a legume tree native to Hawaii. It is found on all the big islands and grows from near sea-level to the tops of the mountains, although it prefers the moist sites between 3,000 to 6,000 feet. It has been reported that trees from areas of heavy rain produce straight grain, while those at higher elevations produce more figured wood. Koa is the best known wood from the Hawaiian Islands.