Red spruce, white spruce, and black spruce make up the eastern spruce family.

Retired rubber trees in plantations become new furniture.

This wood is difficult to dry but good for furniture and cabinets.

Copaia (Jacaranda copaia) is probably more commonly known in North American trade as para para. However, the common name of lumber from this tree varies from country to country. In fact, in Panama, it is sometimes called “elephant’s foot” as the corrugated trunk near the ground looks somewhat like an elephant’s foot.

California black oak is in the red oak group of species, but its source of supply (it grows primarily in northern California and southwest Oregon), physical properties (it is weaker than most red oaks, but machines better), appearance (it is not as red, but has tighter grain), and processing differences (drying is difficult) merit a special discussion of this species.

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) grows in the Rocky Mountains, from Alaska to northern New Mexico, in the Black Hills and on the Pacific Coast. Poles of this tree were used by Native Americans for structural supports for teepees and lodges; hence the common name of lodgepole.

Although this wood is not related to Honduran (or true) mahogany or to African mahogany, it is a rich, dark mahogany colored wood and is actually a bit harder than Honduran mahogany.

Cocobolo or cocobola (Dalbergia retusa) is one of the most beautiful woods in the world.

Bamboo is not wood, but a grass with no woody material in its stem. But we are seeing more and more use of this grass in cabinets and as a wood substitute. And I have seen some pretty good-looking bamboo items.

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.