Timber Chart The characteristics and uses of a broad range of species seen in the UK are contained in this Wood Information sheet. The characteristics shown in the following tables are described below. Species The standard names recommended in BS 7359 Nomenclature of commercial timbers including sources of supply are given in bold in the tables. The botanical names are included to avoid confusion between different timbers which may have similar common names. The main regions of origin are indicated for each timber. (s) Related to the heart of the species. Most timbers vary in colour and will change with use, the application of finishes and exposure to light. Unprotected timber exposed to the weather will discolour and may develop and may develop mould growth. Varies depending on species and moisture content. Averages at 15% moisture content are quoted; 0.5% of the given weight can be added for every 1% increase in moisture content. (*Indicates that density can vary by 20% or more.) Texture Surface texture is classified as fine, medium or coarse. Availability Described in broad terms as regular, limited or variable. It will vary both from time to time and throughout the country. Some species may not be available as raw material (or only in time quantities) but may be seen as veneer on furniture or panelling. Other species have been included because of their historical or technical interest or importance. Trading in some species is governed by CITES the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species which lists species in three categories: Appendix I Trading prohibited Appendix II Trading pemitted subject to export permits from the country of origin (and reexport permits as appropriate) and UK import permits from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Appendix III Species protected within individual pary states. Note that CITES listing covers the raw material only, not manufactured products. CITES is implemented within the an Union by EC Regulations; the species listing is broadly equivalent to CITES listing. In the UK this legislation is backed by the Control of Trade in 1997. Further information is available fromwww.ukcites.gov.uk.
is difficult to quantify since timber is affected by currency variations. However, to give a general indication of comparative prices, the following terms are used: Over 1,000 per cubic metre 550-999 per cubic meter Up to 550 per cubic metre (1999 prices) The prices relate to decorative hardwoods: structural softwoods will normally fall into the cheaper half of the low category. s are for kiln dried stock where appropriate.
Abura Afrormosia Afzelia (doussié) Agba Andiroba S America Ash, USA Ash, an Aspen (, Canadian) Canada, USA Balsa S America Basswood Beech, an Birch, North America Birch, an Cedar (of Lebanon) Cedar, Central/S Central & S America Pink to red-brown Grey, brown White to light brown Grey, white to pale brown White Creamy white to pale brown Whitish to pale brown, pinkish-red if steamed Light to dark reddish brown White to light brown Pinkish-brown to dark reddish-brown 580* / Limited Fine 710 / CITES II Fine 830* / Limited Course 510 Limited 640 / Limited Course 670* Course Regular 710* / Regular Course 450 Fine Variable 160* Fine Limited 420 Fine Limited 720 Fine Regular / 640/ 710 Fine Regular 670 Fine Limited 580 Limited 480 Coarse Limited
Cherry, USA Cherry, an Chestnut, sweet Danta Douglas fir & UK Ebony, India, Sri Lanka Elm, an Elm, White Gaboon Gedu nohor/edinam Geronggang Guarea Idigbo Iroko Kapur Limba/Afara Mahogany, Africa to red Pinkish-brown Light reddish-brown Black, some grey/ black stripes Pale Pinkish brown Reddish brown Pink to red Pinkish brown Yellow Yellow-brown Pale yellow, brown/straw 580 Fine Limited 630 Fine Limited / 560 Limited 750 Fine Limited 530 Regular 1030/ Fine Limited 1190 560* Coarse Limited 580 Coarse Limited 430 Limited 560 Limited / 540 Coarse Variable 590 Variable / 560* Variable 660 Regular / 770* Variable 560* Limited /medium 530* Regular /
Mahogany, Central & S America Makoré Maple, rock Maple, soft Mengkulang Meranti, dark red/dark red seraya/red lauan Meranti, light red/light red seraya/white lauan Meranti, yellow/ yellow seraya Niangon Nyatoh Oak, red Oak, white Oak, an Oak, Japanese Japan Pinkish-brown to dark red Creamy white Creamy white Red, brown to dark redbrown Pale pink to mid red Yellow-brown Pale pink to redbrown with red tinge Pale yellow to midbrown Pale yellow 560* CITES III Regular 640 Fine Variable 740 Fine Regular 550* Fine Limited 720 Coarse Limited 710* Regular / 550* Regular 660* Limited / 640* Variable 720* Fine Variable 790 Regular 770 Regular 720* / Coarse Variable / 670 Very limited
Oak, Tasmanian Australia & Tasmania Obeche/Wawa Padauk, Andamans, Myanmar Parana pine S America Redwood, an Scandinavia, Russia Rosewood S America, India Sapele Sepetir Sesendok Sycamore Taun Teak Burma, Thailand and plantations elsewhere Tulipwood/ Poplar, yellow n Pale pink to brown White to pale yellow Red to dark purplebrown Golden brown with bright red streaks Pale yellowishbrown to red brown to dark purplish-brown with black streaks reddishbrown with marked stripe figure Golden brown Pale cream to straw yellow White or yellowishwhite Pale pinkish-brown Golden brown, Sometimes with dark markings Yellowish to olive brown with dark stains 610/ Coarse Limited 710* 390 Regular / 740*/ Coarse Limited 850 550 Fine Regular / 510 Regular 870* D nigra CITES I 640 Regular 680 Limited 480 Limited to coarse / 630 Fine Limited 720 Coarse Limited 660 Regular 510 Fine Limited
Utile Walnut, Africa Walnut, Walnut, an Wengé/ Panga panga Central & E Africa Yew, sometimes with dark streaks Rich dark brown Grey-brown with dark streaks Harwood Dark brown with fine black veining Orange-brown to purple-brown 660 Regular 560 Variable 660 Coarse Variable / 670 Coarse Limited 880* Coarse Limited 670 Very Limited