So, here in North Central PA, we have many of the typical local woods.  I like Cherry, White Oak, Ash for some things, and of course both hard and soft maple when they are filled with figure.  Nice eastern White Pine, Hemlock and even Larch grows here and is appropriate for some projects.

I will not purchase any imported woods or exotics just because of all the great wood that surrounds us.

Personally I like to get Fresh cut logs or wood and let then season naturally instead of Kiln dried woods.  But I use allot of Kiln dried material as needed.

so ... Q:  What are you favorite locally available wood near you?

Walter,

Here in S.E. Wisconsin, we have pretty much the same varietys of local woods available to us that you have listed.

I'm also inclined to pick up and recycle wood from furniture that people have discarded. I've gotten some nice wood for projects doing so.

My favorites are both Red and White Oak, along with the Maples. Although I use a lot of pine also.

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Being in South Central PA, mine are pretty much the same. I like Maple, Walnut and Red Oak.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Walter,

This is a very good discussion you've added..

I'm in Central Illinois area and have pretty much the same midwestern hardwoods available here. I work with all hardwoods

and some soft maples and Sycamores.. the only Sycamore I do work with is querter sawn and it is beautiful charactor wood.

 

I also lately have been enjoying working with Hickroy...

Ash is one wood that I've pretty much gotten away from because it carries the same looks as the Oaks but much harder on the tools.. plus with the ash bore beatles it's fairly harder to come by.

 

I have never noticed a difference in charactor of air dried over kiln dried woods?

I do notice allot of difference between old growth (country timbers) and fast growth (city, open) lumbers..

 

I love picking up Spalted woods as well... Love the Charactors in the wood and make them stand out when working this type woods...

Which brings to mind another topic that I have seen discussed on other forums over the years..

 

Russ

One other wood I  work with quite a bit is Red Elm... very pretty charactor in this wood as well... it's a bit fiberious so sanding takes a bit of time.. but once sanded smoothly it turns out great!! IMO

Here in eastern Indiana we have the typical hardwoods cherry, red and white oak, ash, maple and walnut.  If I were to rank them, cherry would come out on top with oak and maple close behind.  I'll work with walnut but its not my favorite.  To me, I don't like the smell and it is a dirty wood.

 

Russell, I was up north in Amish country a couple of weeks ago in a furniture store and there was a long dining room table made from figured red elm.  It was stunning and I can only imagine the work that went into sanding it.

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Ron Dudelston
Site Host


Above and Beyond WoodWorks

 dirty wood .. it does have a distinctive smell that is for sure.. but I love working with Walnut and Cherry the best..

I've worked allot or red oak that smells like Butt when planing or cutting on the TS...

Can't argue that!

Russell K. Walls said:

 dirty wood .. it does have a distinctive smell that is for sure.. but I love working with Walnut and Cherry the best..

I've worked allot or red oak that smells like Butt when planing or cutting on the TS...

Living is South West PA my list would be the same for the state trees listed, red and white oak, cherry, maple and walnut, ash and hickory. As for #1 it is a tie between cherry and nicely figured maple.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

White Oak, Black Walnut, Siberian Elm, Apple, Maple.
I'm working on some pirates to get woods from the pacific rim.

I gotta say that cherry would be my number one by far, next would be maple and walnut. I also really like pine....and man does it smell good freshly cut.

Ps. I can't stand the smell from red oak for some reason.

Fornthe most part I am in the group of Cherry, Walnut and Maple. I do like White Oak and really like to work with QSWO. Red oak is okay and I will work with it but it is way down the list.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

If I remember correctly Walter, Larch is a good outdoor wood also? Wasn't that long ago I read an article about it. Seemed to rated like black locust, extremely hard and very dense.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.