Aidan Walker

A number of Indonesian wood species - teak, meranti, etc. - are included in this reference work. The Encyclopedia of Wood is the most informative and comprehensive guide for all those who fully appreciate the beauty of wood. It is much more than a craftperson's guide. The anatomy and life cycle of trees are described, as are the subtleties of grain, pattern, figure, and color. Forest types from around the world are explained and illustrated, with a special section on the complex subject of deforestation and conservation. The processes that wood undergoes between the forest and the end user are explored, including how timber is cut and the way in which this affects its uses. Stress and grading, drying and conversion, and advanced wood manufacturing technology are all covered in detail.
The book's core is an A-Z directory of 150 of the world's most popular and beautiful timbers. Growth and distribution, appearance, mechanical and working properties, and applications are listed, with each wood superbly illustrated in color.
The Encyclopedia of Wood is unique in its appeal to designers, engineers, artists, craftspeople, and enthusiasts alike. Generously illustrated, informative, and thoroughly readable, it is the essential companion for users and lovers of the earth's best-loved natural resource.… (más)

A lot of this book is readable, but some is reference. It's in government-speak, dry & precise. Not much fun, but highly instructional. Excellent illustrations of how logs are sawn & good tables showing a variety things such as which species are sold under generic names. My copy is from 1972 & correctly puts the Black Oaks as a subspecies of the Reds. It has black & white pictures only & those are sparse. A pretty good carpentry reference & I use mine to occasionally cross check species identification.… (más)

This book describes the variations in wood types. it lists and describes the various trees woods come from and the differences in their properties and appearances.. Each species is shown with a photo of the tree and of the wood that comes from it, and a range map. There is a history of wood use. Nineteen tree species are given special detailed treatment beacuse of their extensive use either as timber sources or as furniiture or tool making uses.

The book has a skew toward wood uses and wood characteristics rather than living tree species and habitats, but within that realm of wood characteristics and history, it is a very good reference.… (más)