A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. Birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates. The simple leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. They often appear in pairs, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like,Continue reading “Wood Properties of Birch”
Category Archives: Wood Information
Wood Properties of Black Walnut
WALNUT, BLACK Juglans nigra (Juglans – the classical Latin name for walnut, meaning Jupiter’s nut; nigra – black) Black walnut has long been considered one of the most desirable woods of this country, not only because of the beautiful wood of various figures that the tree produces, but also for the food value in theContinue reading “Wood Properties of Black Walnut”
Wood Properties of Red Oak
Wood Properties of Red Oak OAK, NORTHERN RED Quercus rubra (rubra – red) Northern red oak is known also as CANADIAN RED OAK, GRAY OAK and RED OAK. This tree grows across the mid-eastern part of southern Canada and the eastern section of the United States as far south as Alabama and Arkasas, and itContinue reading “Wood Properties of Red Oak”
Woods of the European Union
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season, and as we look toward the new year ahead we look forward to doing a lot more carving, improving our carving techniques and maybe even getting out to one or two carving shows, or join a club and make new friends. There is a lotContinue reading “Woods of the European Union”
Wood Properties of Sassafras
Wood Properties of Sassafras SASSAFRAS, also called Ague Tree, (species Sassafras albidum), North American tree of the laurel family (Lauraceae), the aromatic leaf, bark, and root of which are used as a flavoring, as a traditional home medicine, and as a tea. The roots yield about 2 percent oil of sassafras, once the characteristic ingredient of root beer. The tree is native to sandy soils fromContinue reading “Wood Properties of Sassafras”
Wood Properties of Butternut
Wood Properties of Butternut BUTTERNUT Juglans cinerea (Juglans – the classical name of the walnut, meaning the nut of Jupiter; cinerea – ash-colored, pertaining to the bark) The kernel of the nut is delicious and so rich and oily that the name OIL-NUT has sometimes been given to this tree. It grows from Quebec downContinue reading “Wood Properties of Butternut”
Wood Properties of Tupelo
Wood Properties of Tupelo TUPELO, WATER Nyssa aquatica (Nyssa – a water nymph; aquatica – of the water) This species is known by many different names, some of the most prominent being BAY POPLAR, GUM, GRAY GUM, HAZEL PINE, OLIVETREE, PAW PAW GUM, SOUR GUM, SWAMP TUPELO, TUPELO, TUPELO GUM, WHITE GUM and YELLOW GUM.Continue reading “Wood Properties of Tupelo”
Wood Properties of American Mahogany
Wood Properties of American Mahogany Although American Mahogany is considered a hardwood, it carved relatively easy and has an appealing grain and finishes beautifully. Here are the wood properties of American Mahogany: READERS’ COMMENTS This is going to be a very short blog post today since I have received no readers’ comments or questions thisContinue reading “Wood Properties of American Mahogany”
Drying A Wood Product
Drying A Wood Product I received a message from Tim Sisko this week with a question and comment along with some photos of the Native American masks he carved, which has opened up an intriguing topic of discussion that I’m sure you will all want to read about. The message reads: “Bob , I enjoyedContinue reading “Drying A Wood Product”
Wood Burning A Black Background
The following is a short tutorial for all you wood burners out there, on how to burn a black background. There’s much more to it than just rubbing your burning pen back and forth all over (as I would have thought). Read on and learn some tips on proper wood burning technique. Wood Burning AContinue reading “Wood Burning A Black Background”
Wood Chip Chatter 