This is a fun thread to read. I mostly turn local woods and will add one that is not mentioned above. Crepe Myrtle, appears to be impossible to dry whole log sections but when quartered and end sealed, it drys into great blanks for finials, tops etc. Hard and fine grained, it takes detail well.
Another nice wood that I did not see mentioned is Russian Olive, not local to me but turns well and often has interesting character.
_______________________________________
When failure is not an option
Mediocre is assured.