Botanical Name: “Pterocarpus indicus“
Growing Regions: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji
Dry Density (kg/m³): 650
Janka Hardness: 4.7kN
Colour: Golden-brown to deep red-brown, some with a rich blood-red hue
Fragrance: Naturally fragrant with a persistent, pleasant aroma
Machining: Works easily with both hand and machine tools, but may pick up in planing
Gluing: Good adhesive properties
Finishing: Takes a high polish, stains well (requires filler)
Radial Shrinkage: 1%
Tangential Shrinkage: 2%
Durability: Highly resistant to termite attack
Susceptibility: Susceptible to Lyctus borer
Stability: Excellent stability with minimal warping or checking

• Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, but may pick up in planing
• Ideal for precision joinery and fine woodworking
• Naturally lustrous, with visible ripple marks and distinctive growth rings.
• Kiln-dries effectively, with little risk of checking or warping
• Extremely low movement in service. 
• Readily available in a wide range of thicknesses & widths.

Botanical Name: “Vitex cofassus“
Growing Regions: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Northern Australia
Dry Density (kg/m³): 780
Janka Hardness: 5.6kN
Colour: Pale yellow to light brown, sometimes with an olive tint
Fragrance: Mild, slightly resinous scent
Machining: Works well but may cause blunting of tools due to silica content
Gluing: Good adhesive properties, requires surface preparation due to natural oils
Finishing: Accepts stains and finishes well, benefits from pre-sealing
Radial Shrinkage: 1.5%
Tangential Shrinkage: 3%
Durability: Moderately resistant to decay and marine borer attack
Susceptibility: Low susceptibility to insect attack, resistant to termites
Stability: Excellent stability with minimal movement when seasoned properly

• Can be worked with both hand and machine tools, though cutting edges may dull due to silica content.
• Straight to interlocked grain provides good dimensional stability and strength.
• Kiln-dries effectively; slow drying is recommended to minimize surface checking.
• Naturally resistant to harsh weather conditions – ideal for marine and exterior applications.
• High resistance to fungal decay and insect attacks, increasing its longevity in exposed environments.

Botanical Name: Cryptomeria japonica
Growing Regions: Japan, China, Taiwan
Dry Density (kg/m³): 340
Janka Hardness: 3.4kN
Colour: Reddish-brown to pinkish with pale sapwood
Fragrance: Pleasant, slightly spicy aroma
Machining: Easy to work with both hand and power tools
Gluing: Excellent adhesion with most adhesives
Finishing: Stains and polishes well, but often left natural to retain aroma
Radial Shrinkage: 2.5% – 3%
Tangential Shrinkage: 4.5% – 5.5%
Durability: Moderately durable; heartwood resists decay
Stability: Stable

• Lightweight and easy to handle, making it an excellent choice for large-scale construction and fine woodworking.
• Straight grain with occasional knots, contributing to its visual appeal in architectural applications.
• Good weathering properties, especially when treated with natural oils or finishes.
• Moderate decay resistance, though sapwood requires treatment for outdoor use.
• Readily absorbs stains and finishes, but often left untreated to showcase its natural color and aroma.
• Used extensively in Japan for traditional houses, interior paneling, and onsen (hot spring) structures due to its aromatic and moisture-resistant qualities.

Botanical Name: Diospyros ferrea
Growing Regions: Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Sri Lanka
Dry Density (kg/m³): 980
Janka Hardness: 9.5kN
Colour: Jet black with stripes in tan brown to dark brown areas
Fragrance: Odourless or faintly sweet scent when freshly cut
Machining: Difficult to work due to extreme hardness, requires sharp tools
Gluing: Can be challenging due to natural oils, requires pre-treatment
Finishing: Polishes to a mirror-like finish, takes oil and wax well
Radial Shrinkage: 2%
Tangential Shrinkage: 4%
Durability: Durable and resistant to decay
Susceptibility: Resistant to most insect attacks, potentially prone to checking
Stability: Very stable when dry but requires slow seasoning to prevent cracking

• Extremely dense and heavy, making it a pleasure to cut and shape.
• Requires pre-drilling for screws and nails due to its hardness.
• High resistance to wear and moisture, ideal for fretboards, knife handles, and luxury goods.
• Lumber for lutherie – retains better resonance properties when air dried for extended periods.
• Finishes exceptionally well, developing a smooth, glass-like surface with minimal effort.

Botanical Name: Toona Sureni
Growing Regions: Australia & Southeast Asia (Australian Red Cedar)
Dry Density (kg/m³): 395
Janka Hardness: 1.7kN
Colour: Reddish-brown to pinkish with pale sapwood
Fragrance: Strong, pleasant cedar aroma with natural insect-repelling properties
Machining: Easy to work with both hand and power tools
Gluing: Excellent adhesion with most adhesives
Finishing: Accepts stains and finishes well but often left natural to age to a silver-grey patina
Radial Shrinkage: 2% – 3%
Tangential Shrinkage: 4% – 5.5%
Durability: Naturally resistant to decay, moderately durable class 2 above ground (PNG & Australian)
Susceptibility: Resistant to most insect attacks, though sapwood may require treatment
Stability: Very stable with minimal movement when dried properly

• Lightweight and easy to handle, making it a preferred choice for exterior and interior applications.
• Straight grain with occasional knots, giving a unique character to architectural uses.
• Good weather resistance, making it suitable for outdoor furniture, siding and panelling.
• Aromatic, with a natural resistance to pests.
• Ages gracefully, often left unfinished to develop a silver-grey pattern over time.
• Popular in internal joinery, wall and ceiling panelling as well as used in boat building and musical instruments
• Red Cedar is a premium, versatile lightweight hardwood that blends durability with workability, making it an excellent choice for both functional and decorative applications in woodworking, architecture, and indoor construction.

Botanical Name: Quercus robur, Quercus petraea
Growing Regions: Europe (France, Germany, UK, Eastern Europe)
Dry Density (kg/m³): 850
Janka Hardness: 5.5kN
Colour: Pale yellow to light brown, darkening with age
Fragrance: Mild, slightly sweet aroma, especially when freshly cut
Machining: Good workability but requires sharp tools due to hardness
Gluing: Can be difficult due to high tannin content, requires proper adhesives
Finishing: Stains, oils, and polishes well; often left natural for aging
Radial Shrinkage: 3% – 3.5%
Tangential Shrinkage: 5.5% – 6.5%
Durability: Durable, naturally resistant to rot and decay
Susceptibility: Highly resistant to insects and fungi due to tannins
Stability: Very stable, with minimal movement when seasoned properly

• Hard and dense, requiring sharp tools for precise cuts and shaping.
• High tannin content can cause staining reactions with iron fasteners, Stainless steel hardware suggested.
• Beautiful and distinctive grain, with a straight to slightly wavy texture, making it highly desirable for furniture and flooring.
• Excellent moisture resistance, making it ideal for barrels, boatbuilding, and outdoor applications.
• Ages well over time, darkening to a rich colour with exposure to air and light.
• Can be steam-bent, which is useful for curved furniture components and barrel-making.

Botanical Name: Intsia bijuga, intsia palembanica
Growing Regions: Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia
Dry Density (kg/m³): 850
Janka Hardness: 8.6kN
Colour: Reddish-brown to dark brown, sometimes with gold or yellow streaks
Fragrance: Mild, slightly spicy aroma when freshly cut
Machining: Moderately difficult due to density; carbide-tipped tools recommended
Gluing: Can be challenging due to natural oils; requires pre-treatment
Finishing: Accepts oils and finishes well; can develop a silver-grey pattern if left untreated outdoors
Radial Shrinkage: 1% – 2%
Tangential Shrinkage: 2% – 3%
Durability: Durable; resistant to decay and moisture
Susceptibility: Moderate resistance to termites and most insect attacks
Stability: Very stable, with minimal movement when seasoned properly

• Extremely hard and dense, requiring sharp tools and pre-drilling for nails and screws.
• High oil content, which enhances weather resistance but may require solvent wiping before gluing or finishing.
• Interlocked grain with natural luster, giving it a striking appearance in furniture and flooring.
• Excellent resistance to water and pests, making it ideal for decking, marine structures, and outdoor furniture.
• Develops a rich pattern over time, though tannin leaching can stain surfaces if not sealed properly.
• Used extensively in high-traffic areas, such as bridges, jetties, and heavy-duty flooring due to its wear resistance.