Back to Basics – Wood Identification

We have picked out some of the most common woods used in woodwork, including visual aids to help you identify them at the sawmill and in the field.

Table of Contents

Hardwoods

European Oak

Lush green tree with a strong trunk
(Quercus spp.) – Strong, durable, used in furniture and flooring
Close-up of wood grain texture pattern
Grain – Oak grain is prominent, straight or wavy, with a coarse texture and open pores. White oak is finer, while red oak is more porous, often featuring attractive medullary rays
Illustration of oak leaves and acorns.
Foliage – Oak foliage consists of lobed or serrated leaves, varying by species. Deciduous oaks shed leaves in autumn, turning golden or red, while evergreen oaks retain their leathery, dark green leaves year-round

IUCN conservation status – least concern

European Ash

Lush green tree on white background
(Fraxinus excelsior / Fraxinus americana) – Tough and flexible, ideal for tool handles and furniture
Close-up of a wooden texture surface.
Grain – Ash grain is typically straight with a coarse, even texture and open pores. It resembles oak but is lighter in colour, with a smooth, durable surface ideal for furniture and flooring
Illustration of green leaves and seeds on branch.
Foliage – Ash foliage consists of compound leaves with multiple leaflets. Deciduous, they turn yellow in autumn before falling. The leaves are slender, pointed, and grow in opposite pairs along the stem

IUCN conservation status – near threatened

American Beech

Lush green tree on a hilltop landscape.
(Fagus sylvatica / Fagus grandifolia) – Hard and dense, excellent for furniture and cabinetry
Brown wood texture with fine grain pattern
Grain – Beech has a straight, fine, and uniform grain with a smooth texture. It is pale cream to pinkish-brown, with small pores, making it ideal for furniture and flooring
Illustration of a green flowering branch.
Foliage – Beech leaves are oval, with wavy edges and a glossy green surface. Deciduous, they turn golden-brown in autumn, often remaining on the tree through winter before new growth emerges

IUCN conservation status – least concern

American Walnut

Lush green tree on white background
(Juglans regia / Juglans nigra) – Dark, rich, used for fine furniture and decorative work
Walnut wood texture background with dark grains
Grain – Walnut has a straight to wavy grain with a fine, smooth texture. It ranges from rich chocolate brown to purplish hues, often featuring attractive swirls and burls
Illustration of green curry leaves branch
Foliage – Walnut leaves are large, pinnate, with multiple lance-shaped leaflets. Deciduous, they turn yellow in autumn before falling. The leaves have a distinct, slightly spicy fragrance when crushed

IUCN conservation status – least concern

European Cherry

Cherry blossom tree beside yellow flower field
(Prunus avium / Prunus serotina) – Reddish-brown, polishes well, used in cabinetry and furniture
Close-up of papyrus texture with vertical lines
Grain – Cherry wood has a fine, straight grain with a smooth texture. It darkens over time from light pinkish-brown to a rich reddish hue, often featuring subtle curls or waves
Hand-drawn cherries on a branch with leaves.
Foliage – Cherry leaves are oval with serrated edges, glossy green in summer, and turn yellow to red in autumn. Deciduous, they are often accompanied by fragrant blossoms in spring

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Great Maple

Vibrant red autumn tree with lush foliage.
(Acer pseudoplatanus / Acer saccharum) – Hard and smooth, great for flooring, furniture, and worktops
Close-up of light brown textured wood surface.
Grain – Maple has a fine, straight grain with a smooth texture, though it can feature curly or wavy patterns. It is light in colour, ranging from creamy white to pale reddish-brown
Illustration of sycamore leaves and seeds.
Foliage – Maple leaves are lobed and palmate, turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, or red in autumn. Deciduous, they are iconic for their striking seasonal colour changes

IUCN conservation status – least concern

American Mahogany

Tall tree with lush green leaves.
(Swietenia spp. / Khaya spp.) – Deep reddish-brown, used for high-end furniture and boats
Close-up of dark brown wood grain texture.
Grain – Mahogany has a straight to slightly interlocking grain with a fine, smooth texture. It is rich reddish-brown to deep red, darkening with age and often featuring a lustrous finish
Illustration of a curry leaf sprig
Foliage – Mahogany leaves are large, elliptical, and glossy, with a dark green colour. They are evergreen in tropical climates, shedding only a few leaves throughout the year

IUCN conservation status – near threatened

Teak

Lush green tree on white background
(Tectona grandis) – Weather-resistant, used in outdoor furniture and boat building
Close-up of dark brown wood grain texture.
Grain – Teak has a straight, coarse grain with a dense, oily texture. It is golden-brown to dark brown, often with a slight sheen, making it highly durable and resistant to moisture
Illustration of a green leafy plant with flowers.
Foliage – Teak leaves are large, ovate, and rough-textured with a deep green colour. Deciduous, they turn yellow before falling in the dry season, with new leaves emerging shortly after

IUCN conservation status – endangered

Wych Elm

Lush green tree on grass patch
(Ulmus spp.) – Tough and water-resistant, used for furniture and boat building
Green wooden texture with horizontal lines
Grain – Elm has a straight to slightly interlocking grain with a coarse texture. The wood is light to medium brown, often with a wavy pattern, making it strong and durable
Illustration of elm tree branch with leaves
Foliage – Elm leaves are oval, serrated, and asymmetrical at the base. They are dark green in summer, turning yellow in autumn. Deciduous, they often remain on the tree into early winter

IUCN conservation status – vulnerable

Softwoods

Lodgepole Pine

Green pine tree on grassy mound.
(Pinus spp.) – Affordable and versatile, used in furniture and construction
Close-up of textured wooden surface
Grain – Pine has a straight, uniform grain with a medium to coarse texture. The wood is light yellow to pale brown, often featuring prominent knots and a distinct resinous smell
Illustration of pine needles with cones
Foliage – Pine leaves are long, slender needles, usually grouped in clusters. Evergreen, they remain green throughout the year, with some species producing cones in late summer or autumn

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Cedar of Lebanon

Dense cedar forest with lush green foliage.
(Cedrus spp.) – Aromatic, rot-resistant, used for outdoor furniture and wardrobes
Close-up of teak wood texture and grain pattern.
Grain – Cedar has a straight to wavy grain with a fine, smooth texture. The wood is reddish-brown to purplish, often with a distinct aromatic scent, and is highly resistant to decay
Illustration of pine cones on a branch.
Foliage – Cedar leaves are scale-like, arranged in overlapping patterns, giving the tree a dense, feathery appearance. Evergreen, the foliage stays green throughout the year, with some species producing cones

IUCN conservation status – vulnerable

Douglas Fir

Three tall trees in a grassy field
(Pseudotsuga menziesii) – Strong and lightweight, used in construction and joinery
Texture of light brown wood grain.
Grain – Douglas Fir has a straight, even grain with a medium to coarse texture. The wood is light to medium brown, with a slightly reddish tint, and is known for its strength and durability
Illustration of pine branch with cones
Foliage – Douglas Fir leaves are needle-like, soft, and flattened, with a blue-green colour. Evergreen, they remain on the tree year-round, with small cones that hang downwards

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Spruce

Sunny day in lush green forest landscape
(Picea spp.) – Common in construction, also used for musical instruments
Close-up of light brown wood texture.
Grain – Spruce has a straight, fine to medium grain with a smooth texture. The wood is pale yellowish-white to light brown, often lightweight and resonant, making it ideal for musical instruments
Yellow pine pollen cones on branch illustration.
Foliage – Spruce leaves are needle-like, sharp, and arranged spirally around the branch. Evergreen, they are dark green, remaining on the tree throughout the year, with small, hanging cones

IUCN conservation status – least concern

European Larch

Single green tree isolated on white background
(Larix decidua / Larix laricina / Larix kaempferi) – Durable and water-resistant, used in cladding and outdoor projects
Close-up of wooden texture with visible grain lines.
Grain – Larch has a straight, fine to medium grain with a moderately coarse texture. The wood is pale yellow to light brown, often with a reddish tint, and is highly durable and resinous
Pine cone on a branch with needles.
Foliage – Larch leaves are soft, slender needles arranged in clusters. Deciduous, they turn golden-yellow in autumn before falling, making larch one of the few deciduous conifers

IUCN status – least concern

Western Hemlock

Tall evergreen tree in misty forest landscape.
(Tsuga spp.) – Light and easy to work with, used for construction and panellings
Close-up of oak wood grain texture.
Grain – Hemlock has a straight, fine grain with a smooth texture. The wood is pale, ranging from light yellowish-brown to reddish, with a subtle, natural sheen
Illustration of yew branch with berries
Foliage – Hemlock leaves are short, flat needles arranged spirally, with a dark green upper surface and pale underside. Evergreen, they remain on the tree throughout the year, with small, cylindrical cones

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Redwood (Sequoia)

Majestic giant sequoia tree in forest landscape.
(Sequoia sempervirens) – Durable and rot-resistant, used in outdoor structures
Close-up of polished burl wood texture pattern
Grain – Redwood has a straight, fine to medium grain with a smooth texture. The wood is rich reddish-brown, often with a distinct grain pattern and natural resistance to decay
Illustration of green leaves with yellow flowers
Foliage – Redwood leaves are needle-like, flat, and arranged in spirals, with a soft, dark green appearance. Evergreen, they stay green year-round, with small, rounded cones that mature in the winter

IUCN conservation status – endangered

European Yew

Historic church with yew tree and graveyard.
(Taxus baccata) – Dense and elastic, historically used for longbows and fine furniture
Close-up of natural wood grain texture.
Grain – Yew has a fine, straight grain with a smooth texture. The wood is pale yellow to reddish-brown, often with a rich, lustrous finish and excellent strength
Illustration of yew branch with red berries
Foliage – Yew leaves are narrow, dark green needles with a leathery texture. Evergreen, they remain on the tree year-round, and the tree produces red, fleshy arils around its seeds in autumn

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Basswood (Lime in the UK)

Lush green tree on grassy patch
(Tilia spp.) – Soft and easy to carve, often used for crafts and models
Close-up of maple wood grain texture.
Grain – Basswood has a straight, fine grain with a smooth texture. The wood is pale cream to light brown, lightweight, and soft, making it easy to carve and shape
Illustration of lime leaves and flowers
Foliage – Basswood leaves are heart-shaped with serrated edges, dark green above and paler beneath. Deciduous, they turn yellow in autumn before falling, with fragrant flowers appearing in summer

IUCN conservation status – least concern

Western Red Cedar

Looking up at tall forest trees canopy
(Thuja plicata) – Lightweight, aromatic, and rot-resistant, ideal for cladding and fencing
Close-up of wood texture background with grain lines.
Grain – Red Cedar has a straight to wavy grain with a fine, smooth texture. The wood is reddish-brown with a rich aroma, known for its natural resistance to decay and insects
Illustration of juniper branch with berries
Foliage – Red Cedar leaves are scale-like, overlapping in a dense, feathery pattern. Evergreen, they remain green throughout the year, with small, round cones that mature in the winter

IUCN conservation status – least concern

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