Osage Orange. This is a southern wood, growing in the Gulf States and seldom seen in the North. The tree is of medium size, bears fruit somewhat resembling an orange, and is protected by large thorns. The wood ranges in color from bright yellow or orange to brown and is hard and strong, though at the same time very flex ible. It is very durable in damp places, and in positions where it comes in contact with the earth. The wood shrinks somewhat, and checks, but will take a good polish, and it is, therefore, used to some extent for interior finish, but its principal use is for poles and posts, piles, ties, etc.
Locust. The locust is a tree which yields wood valuable in con struction on account of its great durability in exposed positions. The eastern tree is called the black locust, while the tree in the west ern states is known as the mesquite. There is a slight difference between the two trees, but they belong to the same family. The wood is hard, heavy, and strong, reddish brown in color, and close grained. It was largely used in the past for long wood pegs called tree-nails and is now used wherever great durability is required.
Holly. This wood is very highly prized for use in inlaid work, both on account of its beautiful even grain, and on account of its clear white color. The American tree grows in all the eastern states where it attains to medium size. It is characterized by its ever green foliage and its red berries. The wood is cream white in color, and moderately strong. It is easily worked, but is not durable and can not be exposed.
Imported Timber. Besides the woods which grow in the United States, a number of others are brought in from foreign lands for use in the best grade of public buildings and private residences. The most popular of these are the mahogany, rosewood, satinwood, French burl, and Circassian walnut.
Mahogany comes from Cuba and Mexico, and formerly was obtained also from Santo Domingo and Honduras. Other kinds of so-called mahogany are also obtained from Africa and India, and some come from South America. The wood is generally imported in the rough log and cut up by the purchasers as it is required. It is easy to work, will take an excellent polish, and stays in place very well if it is properly seasoned. The color varies from very light to deep red, which becomes darker and richer with age. There is also what is called white mahogany, which is golden yellow in color. The wood is very costly and can only be used for the best work. Gener ally it is used in the form of veneers.
Satinwood comes from both the East and the West Indies. It is hard and strong and very durable, but brittle and hard to work. It is so costly as not to be used for anything but the finest cabinet work, for which it is valued on account of its color, which is very light yellow, and its satiny luster. It takes a very good polish.
French burl comes from Persia, and Circassian walnut from near the Black Sea. Both of these woods are very expensive and can be used on that account only in veneers and only for the best work.