Post #258905 by Capt'n Skully on Wed, Oct 4, 2006 8:54 AM

Here's a little info I found about some Northern/Midwestern varieties:

Catalpa or Cigar Tree- A little harder than basswood, lightweight, easier to carve. Doesn't split when drying and can be carved wet (as soon as it's cut). Is a fast growing tree and has larger areas between rings. Very resistant to rotting. Cigar Store Indians were carved out of it frequently and Farmers used it for fence posts. Larger trees can have hollow stumps. Not good firewood- Pops when burned.

Cottonwood- Also doesn't Split when drying.

Red Cedar- Red and blonde variation of color- Resists splitting when drying.

Oak- Harder wood to carve, dense and heavy. Holds fine details and lasts for ages. Logs generally splits when drying (1 big crack from center)

Mahogany- Logs generally split when drying (1 big crack from center)