Identifying wood

[Ron Taylor]

My question of the day........

How does one learn to identify the species of wood. Not a living tree, but cut lumber.

I have several different kinds of wood laying around the shop and don't know what they are. There is dark wood, black wood, red wood, white wood, and even speckled wood. I readily recognize white and yellow pine... well most of the time. Oak is familiar, aromatic cedar is a give away, but thats about the limit of my wood recognizing abilities. I can guess that the clear white wood is ash(??), dark brown, small tight grain, is maybe walnut? auburn reddish perhaps cherry? but I'm far from certain.

Are there books that an old phart can read and understand on the subject or is it just experience?

All questions and no answers........

Ron

[Jim Izat]

This is the best book you can buy, you'll never need another.

Jim Izat

[Tom Sweeney]

I have trouble with ID'ing wood also. Some are obvious but others ????? :confused:

I'll check out the book.

[dougj1715]

Try these sites

http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/index.htm

http://www.woodzone.com/properties.htm

http://www.wdfindr.com/woods/woodindex.html

http://www.woodmagazine.com/default.sph/wcontent_user.class?FNC=category__Asection_html___ 7___43

http://www.woodworking.org/WC/woodsampler.html