Timber

Acacia

A durable wood used for palings and posts. A lot of the gums in common use are obtained from varieties of the Acacia.

Alder

This wood is very durable in water and not so durable in dry conditions. Historically it was used a lot in pumps, piles and sluices.

Ash

A very tough and elastic timber used for oars, blocks and pulleys, spokes of wheels and milk-pails. However, it is not very flexible and is difficult to work. Ash bark is used tanning and the ashes of ash is used for potash.

Beech

A very hard wood almost unaffected when exposed to water. Therefore, it is used for keels of ships and flood gates. On account of its hardness it was used for wheels and railway sleepers.

Birch

Strong flexible wood that has many uses. Amongst the uses are furniture making, building as well as being used for agricultural implements in the past.

Box-Wood

Very compact hard wood suitable for machining small parts from.

Cedar

A durable wood used in ancient buildings. Easy to work and strongly scented.

Cherry

Chestnut

Very durable and much like oak. Comparitavely easy to work and does not shrink much when drying.

Ebony

A very dark, hard and smooth wood used for ornamental work.

Elm

A hard, durable and coarse grained wood. Used for ship building.

Fir

A light coloured and soft wood. Needs to be dried very well before use.

Lance-Wood

An elastic wood suitable where some degree of bending is required.

Larch

An extremely durable wood used for rough work. It warps a lot when dried, but can be polished to a fine finish when dry.

Mahogany

A very hard wood that is very durable and can be polished to a fine finish with a rich colour.

Oak

The strongest and most durable wood that lasts for long periods in either wet or dry conditions.

Pine

Easily worked and used where moderate strength and durability are required. Turpentine is obtained from the pine.

Plane

A North American wood that resembles beech, durable in water but not in air.

Poplar

A light wood, but not very strong and or very good wear resistance.

Teak

A strong and durable wood that doesn't shrink much and is comparatively easy to work.

Walnut

Cross grained wood used for ornamental work.
Figured Walnut

African Walnut