Please note the Good Wood Guide was produced in 1997, so some of the information may no longer be correct. We have a list of useful sources of information you can consult for more up-to-date information below.
Friends of the Earth recommends repairing or adapting existing wooden items, using reclaimed timber, or buying locally-grown FSC-certified wood.
If that's not possible, use the table below to help you find the best alternative when buying new timber. It covers tree species information including:
- common and scientific name *
- whether it's threatened with extinction (see key below)
- places of origin
- common uses
* Listed alphabetically by common name and according to type of tree – eg American Cedar is listed under Cedar, American.
Trees provide us with so much more than timber. We've got 10 facts that show why trees are so valuable and we've identified where new trees and rewilding could increase tree cover in England.
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About The Good Wood Guide
The Good Wood Guide was produced in 1997 in partnership with Fauna & Flora International through Fenside Waste Management Ltd and The Rufford Foundation. If you have questions about forests, or anything else in the guide, please take a look at our list of useful links and sources of information.
Key to threat classification
- CRCritically Endangered
A very high risk of extinction in the wild - ENEndangered
A high risk of extinction in the wild - VUVulnerable
At risk of extinction in the wild - NTNear Threatened
Close to qualifying as Vulnerable
Alphabetical list of different types of wood and timber
Abura
Mitragyna ciliata
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Interior joinery. |
Afara
Terminalia superba
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Plywood, interior use. |
Afrormosia
Pericopsis elataEN
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery. |
Afzelia
Afzelia spp.
A. africanaVU
A. bipindensisVU
A. pachylobaVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Top quality exterior joinery. |
Agba
Gossweilerodendron balsamiferumEN
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Plywood, furniture. |
Alder
Alnus glutinosa
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Minor utility products. Occasionally available as beams. |
Alstonia
Alstonia spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Various, depending on density. |
Andiroba
Carapa guianensis
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Turnery. |
Andoung
Monopetalanthus spp.
M. durandiiVU
M. compactusVU
M. heitziiNT
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, light construction, plywood, boxes and crates. |
Antiaris
Antiaris spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Veneer, plywood, furniture, joinery, boxes and crates, light construction. |
Apple
Malus sylvestris
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Minor craft items. |
Asanfona
Aningeria spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Musical instruments, heavy construction, marine, furniture, flooring. |
Ash, UK
Fraxinus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Light coloured furniture, panelling, tool handles. Occasionally available as flooring. |
Ayan
Distemonanthus benthamianus
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Outdoor construction, marine construction, furniture, decorative veneers. |
Balau / Selangan batu /bangkirai
Shorea spp.
Many species areCR/EN/VU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Heavy duty construction work. |
Balsa
Ochroma lagopus
| From: | Ecuador |
| Uses: | Model making, insulation. |
Basralocus
Dicornia guianensis
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Marine and dock work. |
Beech
Fagus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Furniture, flooring, musical instruments. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Berlinia, red
Berlinia spp.
B. occidentalisVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Heavy construction, furniture and cabinetwork, veneers, panelling. |
Bintangor
Calophyllum spp.
Some species are threatened
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, musical instruments. |
Binuang
Octomeles sumatrana
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Plywood, light construction, furniture components, cabinetwork. |
Birch
Betula spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, plywood. |
Black bean
Castanospermum australe
| From: | Australia |
| Uses: | Furniture, cabinetwork, joinery. |
Black locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
| From: | Europe, America |
| Uses: | Poles, agricultural implements, furniture. |
Blackwood, African
Dalbergia melanoxylonNT
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Musical instruments, craft products. |
Blue gum
Eucalyptus saligna
| From: | Australia |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, also used for paper. Occasionally available as wood strip flooring. |
Boxwood, European
Buxus sempervirens
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Turnery, craftwork, sports goods, musical instruments. |
Bubinga Minor
Copaifera salikoundaVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Veneer, furniture. Regularly available as woodblock flooring. |
Caimito
Pouteria spp.
Several species are threatened
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Light construction, furniture, cabinet work. |
Canarium
Canarium schweinfurthii
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Light construction, furniture, veneer, plywood. |
Cedar, American
Cedrela spp.
C. odorataVU
C. fissilisEN
C. lilloiEN
| From: | South and Central America |
| Uses: | Cabinet making, boatbuilding, light construction. |
Cedar, pencil (softwood)
Juniperus virginianaNT
J. proceraNT
| From: | J. virginiana: North America J. procera: East Africa |
| Uses: | Specialist uses. |
Cedar, western red (softwood)
Thuja plicata
| From: | North America, |
| Uses: | Exterior use, cladding some UK plantations. Regularly available as beams. |
Celtis
Celtis spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, cabinets, carving, veneer. |
Cherry, European
Prunus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Specialised crafted furniture and decorative work, musical instruments. |
Chestnut, horse, UK
Aesculus hippocastanum
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Minor goods, turnery and utensils. Regularly available as beams. |
Chestnut, sweet
Castanea sativa
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, fencing. Regularly available as beams. |
Chontaquiro
Diplotropis martiussi
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Outdoor and marine construction. |
Coigue
Nothofagus dombeyi
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, mouldings, turnery. |
Cordia
Cordia millenii
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Exterior cladding, furniture, joinery. |
Cottonwood
Bombax spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Plywood, blockboard, boxes and crates, furniture. |
Curupay / Curapixa
Anadenanthera macrocarpa
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Heavy construction, flooring, turnery. |
Dafo
Terminalia brassii
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Veneer, furniture, cabinet work, joinery. |
Dahoma
Piptadeniastrum africanum
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Heavy construction, wharf decking, flooring. |
Danta
Nesogordonia papaveriferaVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, turnery, flooring, tool handles. |
Denya
Cyclicodiscus gabunensis
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | External construction. |
Durian
Durio spp.
Several species areVU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Furniture, veneer, plywood, light construction. |
Ebony
Diospyros spp.
Several species areEN/VU
| From: | Africa, Asia |
| Uses: | Cutlery handles, musical instruments, craftwork. Regularly available as antique escutcheons, door knobs. |
Ekki / Azobe / Kaku West
Lophira alataVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Sea defences, sleepers. Occasionally available as woodblock flooring. |
Elm
Ulmus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, flooring, external cladding. Regularly available as floorboards. |
Fir, Douglas (softwood)
Pseudotsuga taxifolia
P. menziesii
| From: | UK, Europe (plantations) North America |
| Uses: | Plywood, structural work, sea defences. Regularly available as floorboards. |
Fir, silver (softwood)
Abies alba
| From: | UK (plantations), |
| Uses: | Building, joinery, packaging. |
Freijo
Cordia goeldiana
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Joinery, veneer, construction. |
Fromager
Ceiba pentandra
| From: | Africa, South America |
| Uses: | Veneer, weak packaging. |
Gmelina
Gmelina arborea
| From: | Native to South Asia, timber is from tropical plantations |
| Uses: | Light construction, packaging, furniture. |
Gombe
Didelotia spp.
D. idaeNT
D. unifoliolataNT
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Plywood, blockboard, veneers, particleboard, furniture, joinery. |
Greenheart
Chlorocardium rodieiVU
Ocotea rodiaeiVU
| From: | Guyana |
| Uses: | Sea defences. Regularly available as beams. |
Guarea
Guarea cedrataVU
Guarea thompsoniiVU
| From: | Central and West Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture and exterior work. |
Hemlock, western (softwood)
Tsuga heterophylla
| From: | UK, Europe (plantations) North America |
| Uses: | Construction. |
Hickory
Carya spp.
| From: | North America |
| Uses: | Sports goods, tool handles, drum sticks. |
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Craft work, inlays. |
Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Minor items, musical instruments. |
Hyedua
Guibourtia ehieVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Interior construction, furniture, veneer, turnery. |
Idigbo / Emeri / Framire
Terminalia ivorensisVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Joinery and outdoor work. |
Ilomba
Pycnanthus angolensis
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | General utility timber, furniture components, interior joinery, plywood. |
Imbuja
Phoebe / Ocotea porosaVU
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Interior construction, furniture. |
Ipe Peroba/ Ipe de Campos
Paratecoma peroba
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Furniture, interior joinery, decking, flooring, vats and tanks, veneers. |
Iroko / Odum / Mvule
Milicia excelsaNT
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Garden furniture, boatbuilding, flooring and joinery. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Izombe
Testulea gabonensisEN
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Turnery. |
Jacareuba
Calophyllum spp.
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, musical instruments. |
Jarrah
Eucalyptus marginata
| From: | Australia |
| Uses: | Outdoor construction, flooring, decking, sleepers. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring, occasionally as beams. |
Jelutong
Dyera costulata
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Interior work, crafts, pattern making. |
Jequitiba
Cariniana spp.
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Construction, furniture. |
Kapur
Dryobalanops spp.
D.aromaticaCR
Some other speciesEN
| From: | South-east Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia) |
| Uses: | Exterior joinery and construction. |
Karri
Eucalyptus diversicolor
| From: | Australia |
| Uses: | Heavy duty outdoor construction, sleepers. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring, occasionally as beams. |
Kauvula
Endospermum medullosum
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Furniture parts, minor items. |
Kempas uses
Koompassia malaccensis
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Heavy construction. |
Keruing / Yang / Curjun
Dipterocarpus spp.
Many speciesCR/EN
| From: | Indonesia, Malaysia |
| Uses: | Strength applications in hidden work in furniture, building, and transport decking, plywood. Regularly available as flooring. |
Khaya
(see: Mahogany, African)
Kokoti
Anopyxis klaineanaVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Underwater construction and piling. |
Kosipo / Omu
Entandrophragma candolleiVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, flooring. |
Koto
Pterygota sppP. macrocarpaVU
P. bequaertiiVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Veneer, interior joinery, furniture. |
Kussia
(see: Opepe)
Larch
Larix decidua
| From: | UK (softwood) (plantations) Europe, Russia |
| Uses: | General purpose timber. |
Latandza
Albizia ferrugineaVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Heavy construction, furniture, marine work, veneer. |
Lati
Amphimas spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Interior joinery, veneer, mouldings. |
Laurel,
Chilean Laurelia aromatica
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Veneer. |
Lignum vitae
Guaiacum spp.
G. officinaleEN
G. sanctumEN
| From: | Central and South |
| Uses: | Special bearings, tools, sports goods. |
Limbali
Gilbertiodendron spp.
Several speciesVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Construction (including marine), industrial flooring, panelling. |
Lime
Tilia spp.
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Brush backs, turnery, minor goods. Regularly available as antique carving. |
Longui
Chrysophyllum africana
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | General purpose timber. |
Louro (see also Greenheart)
Ocotea spp.
Several speciesVU
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Marine structures, heavy duty work. |
Mahogany, African
Khaya ivorensisVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Utility and decorative work, indoors and outdoors, from boatbuilding to furniture and joinery. Regularly available as woodblock flooring. |
Mahogany, Brazilian
Swietenia macrophyllaVU
| From: | Central and South America |
| Uses: | Joinery, high quality furniture, plywood. Regularly available as woodblock flooring, occasionally as beams. |
Makarati
Burkea africana
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Flooring, furniture, joinery. |
Makore
Tieghemella heckeliiEN
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Joinery and wood work subjected to tough environments. |
Mansonia
Mansonia altissimaEN
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | High class joinery and furniture. |
Maple
Acer spp.
| From: | North America |
| Uses: | Flooring, musical instruments. Regularly available as wood strip or woodblock flooring. |
Mashonate / Guariuba
Clarisia racemosa
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Construction, furniture, mouldings, flooring, turnery. |
Medang
Litsea spp.
L. leytensisVU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Joinery, carving, furniture, light construction, veneer. |
Mengkulang
Heriteria spp.
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Interior joinery. |
Meranti / Seraya (parts of Malaysia) and Lauan (Philippines) Red, Yellow and White
Shorea spp.
Many speciesCR/EN/VU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | All types of joinery, framing, doors and fittings. Also used in plywood. Regularly available as woodblock and wood strip flooring, occasionally as beams. |
Merbau
Intsia bijugaVU
| From: | Asia, Africa, Australia, (main source of timber is Indonesia, Malaysia) |
| Uses: | Top quality exterior joinery. Occasionally available as wood strip flooring. |
Mersawa
Anisoptera spp.
Many speciesCR/EN
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Light construction, furniture, plywood, veneer, marine construction. |
Mora
Mora spp.
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Industrial flooring, marine and heavy construction. |
Muhimbi
Cynometra alexandri
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Construction, turnery. Occasionally available as woodblock flooring. |
Muhuhu
Brachylaena hutchinsii
| From: | East Africa |
| Uses: | High quality flooring subject to heavy wear. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Muninga
Pterocarpus angolensisNT
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Panelling and joinery. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Mutenye
Guibourtia arnoldiana
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Turnery, flooring, furniture, veneer. |
Niangon
Heritiera utilisVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture. |
Niove
Staudtia stipitata
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Cabinetwork, joinery, decorative veneers, flooring, turnery. |
Nyatoh
Palaquium spp.
Several speciesVU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Exterior construction, fine furniture, veneer, musical instruments. |
Oak
Quercus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Wide variety of applications, including joinery, furniture, fittings, flooring wood strip and woodblock flooring. Regularly available as reclaimed beams, floorboards. |
Oak, Tasmanian
Eucalyptus delegatensis
| From: | Australia |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, flooring. |
Odoko
Scottellia coriacea
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Interior and exterior construction, furniture. |
Ogea
Daniellia spp.
D. klaineiNT
D. oblongaVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Plywood, joinery, furniture, veneer. |
Okoume
Aucoumea klaineanaVU
| From: | Gabon |
| Uses: | Plywood. |
Okwen
Brachystegia spp.
B. kennedyiVU
B. zenkeriVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Flooring, veneer, general construction, joinery. |
Olon
Fagara heitzii
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Interior construction, furniture, veneers. |
Opepe / Kussia
Nauclea diderrichiiVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Outdoor construction, marine defence, sleepers, flooring. Occasionally available as beams, woodblock flooring. |
Padauk
Pterocarpus spp.
P. indicusVU
| From: | India, Myanmar, West Africa |
| Uses: | Joinery, flooring, boat-building. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Panga Panga
Millettia stuhlmanii
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Cabinet work, joinery, veneer, flooring, turnery. Regularly available as woodblock flooring, musical instruments. |
Pau Marfim
Balfourodendron riedelianumEN
| From: | Brazil |
| Uses: | Furniture making, flooring, construction, turnery. |
Pear
Pyrus communis
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Turnery, carving, drawing instruments, veneer. |
Peroba Rosa
Aspidosperma spp.
A. polyneuronEN
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Fine furniture, veneer, cabinet work, flooring, interior trim and turning. |
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
| From: | North America |
| Uses: | Decorative ware, musical instruments, turnery. |
Pine (softwood) various and types, also known as Redwood
Pinus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe (commonly in plantations), North America |
| Uses: | General utility work. Regularly available as beams, floorboards, wood strip, woodblock flooring. |
Pine, Parana (softwood)
Araucaria angustifoliaVU
| From: | Brazil (some plantations) |
| Uses: | Joinery, plywood. |
Pitch Pine (softwood)
Pinus spp.
| From: | Southern USA, Brazil (plantations) |
| Uses: | Construction, plywood. |
Plane, European
Platanus hybrida
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Veneer, general purpose handles. |
Poplar
Populus spp.
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Matches, turnery, minor craft goods. |
Purpleheart
Peltogyne spp.
| From: | Central and South America |
| Uses: | Heavy construction work, decorative purposes. Occasionally available as beams. |
Quaruba
Vochysia spp.
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Carpentry, utility plywood, furniture components, interior trim, millwork. |
Ramin
Gonystylus bancanusVU
| From: | Malaysia, Indonesia |
| Uses: | Mouldings. |
Rauli
Nothofagus procera
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, mouldings, turnery. |
Rosewood
Dalbergia spp.
D. nigraVU
Various speciesNT
| From: | Africa, South America, India |
| Uses: | Furniture, musical instruments. |
Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis
| From: | Malaysia (plantations) |
| Uses: | Furniture. |
Sapele
Entandophragma cylindricumVU
| From: | West Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, decorative applications. |
Sepetir
Sindora spp.
S. inermisVU
S. supaVU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Furniture, veneer, light construction, household utensils, plywood, flooring. |
Sequioa, red
Sequioa sempervirens
| From: | North America |
| Uses: | Joinery. |
Simpoh
Dillenia spp.
Several speciesVU
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Plywood, interior joinery, furniture and cabinetwork. |
Spruce (softwood), also known as Whitewood
Picea spp.
| From: | UK, Europe (commonly in plantations), North America |
| Uses: | General purpose timber. Regularly available as beams, floorboards, wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Sterculia, red
Sterculia rhinopetala
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Light construction work, interior joinery, boxes and crates. |
Swamp sepetir
Pseudosindora palustris
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Furniture, cabinetwork, joinery, flooring, plywood, veneers. |
Sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
| From: | Europe |
| Uses: | Turnery, veneers. |
Tali
Erythrophleum spp.
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Flooring, heavy construction. |
Tatajuba
Bagassa guianensis
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Furniture, flooring, joinery, heavy construction. |
Taun
Pometia pinnata
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | General purpose timber. |
Tchitola
Oxystigma oxyphyllum
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | General purpose timber, veneer, plywood. |
Teak
Tectona grandis
| From: | South-east Asia (also in plantations elsewhere) |
| Uses: | High quality furniture, joinery, garden furniture. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring, occasionally as beams. |
Teak, Rhodesian
Baikiaea plurijugaNT
| From: | Southern Africa |
| Uses: | Exterior construction, flooring. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Terentang
Campnosperma brevipetiolata
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Light general purposes. |
Tiama / Edinam / Cedu nohor
Entandrophragma angolenseVU
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, construction, flooring. |
Tornillo
Cedrelingua cataeneformis
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | General furniture construction. |
Tulipwood / American poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
| From: | North America |
| Uses: | Mouldings, drumsticks. |
Utile / sipo
Entandophragma utileVU
| From: | West Africa (Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire) |
| Uses: | Furniture, fitments, joinery, construction. Regularly available as wood strip and woodblock flooring. |
Virola
Virola spp.
V. surinamensisEN
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Plywood, mouldings, interior joinery. |
Vitex Minor
Vitex confassus
| From: | South-east Asia |
| Uses: | Boxes and crates, utility furniture, joinery. |
Wallaba
Eperua falcata
| From: | South America |
| Uses: | Heavy construction, poles, industrial flooring. |
Walnut, African /dibetou
Lovoa trichilioidesVU
| From: | West and Central Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture and panelling. |
Walnut
Juglans spp.
| From: | Europe, North America |
| Uses: | Furniture, joinery, gun butts. Regularly available as antique panelling and veneered doors. |
Walnut, Australian
Endiandra palmerstonii
| From: | Queensland Australia |
| Uses: | Furniture, interior joinery and construction, veneers. |
Wawa / Samba / Obeche / Ayous
Triplochiton scleroxylon
| From: | Africa |
| Uses: | Kitchen furniture, mouldings, hidden work, plywood. |
Wenge
Millettia laurentiiEN
| From: | Central Africa |
| Uses: | Furniture, decorative veneers, speciality uses. Regularly available as woodblock flooring. |
Willow
Salix spp.
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Cricket bats, basket work, toys and other items. |
Yew (softwood)
Taxus baccata
| From: | UK, Europe |
| Uses: | Decorative veneer. |
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