| Yew Taxus baccata |
Strong and elastic, the traditional material for bows, it has the rare property of always returning to the straight after bending. Yew bows changed history at Crécy in 1346. |
| Pencil Cedar Juniperus virginiana |
Straight grained, soft and easily whittled, it is ideal for manufacturing pencils. |
| Walnut Juglans regia |
Attractive figure makes this a good wood for decorative veneers. It is also ideal for rifle stocks and absorbs shocks without splitting. |
| Hombeam - (Ironwood) Carpinus betulus |
Tough whitewood used for chopping-blocks, mallets, skittles and rollers. |
| Oak Quercus robur |
Was widely used for cogs in wind and water mills. The major cooperage material (required by law for whisky), it also has a distinguished history in, among other things, shipbuilding, cart staves and railway carriages. |
| Ash Fraximus excelsior |
Tough and elastic, widely used in sports equipment including oars and hockey sticks. Takes sudden shocks without breaking and is, therefore, ideal for shafts in cartwheels. |
| Elm Ulmus procera |
Strong, firm and Heavy, used as the stock in cartwheels. Also used in coffins and doors. Its durability underwater makes it particularly suitable for piles, bridges, groynes, and even water pipes. The bark is medicinal. |
| Persimmon Diospyros virginiana |
Traditionally used in the heads of golf clubs, it is very hard with high impact strength. Takes a very smooth finish. |
| Pear Pyrus communis |
Very straight grained, it is unrivalled for T-squares and makes an ideal turning wood. Recorders were often made from pear. |
| Maple/Sycamore Acer spp |
High density and even texture, with exceptional abrasion resistance, this is outstanding for flooring, including dance floors. |
| Greenheart Ocoten rodiaei |
Very strong and durable, it is widely used for piles and lock gates. Makes a tough fishing rod. |
| Alder Alnus glutinosa |
Pliable and easily worked, is good underwater. Traditional uses include clog making, toys and broomheads. The charcoal is ideal for gunpowder. |
| Lignum Vitae Guaicacum officinale |
Exceptionally Heavy and hard. Used in truncheons and early dental implants. It is self lubricating and is used for bearings in ships' propeller shafts. Traditionally used in flat and crown green bowls. |
