Wood Markets

No matter the species, U.S. buyers are craving exotic woods, according to suppliers and importers interviewed by Woodshop News.

Cutting to the chase, Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) in an immensely popular domestic hardwood.

When dramatic figure is needed, American sycamore gives the most ‘bang for the buck’, say those that know the species.

They say variety is the spice of life. With the many varieties offered in white oak, it’s no wonder why the species seems to be taking the hardwood market by storm these days.

Teak is sweet, but not the price. That is a typical response from lumber suppliers interviewed by Woodshop News about the imported hardwood known for being impervious to water and rot resistant, making it ideal for marine and outdoor projects.

Cherry hasn’t lost any of its luster, according to hardwood suppliers interviewed by Woodshop News.

Often used for historic reproductions and musical instruments, and now becoming a go-to for contemporary designers, tiger maple is in demand in the U.S. and abroad, according to suppliers interviewed by Woodshop News.

Rustic-grade woods used to be deemed crude and worthless, and quickly made their way to the scrap pile.

Strong, flexible and versatile, domestic cedar varieties are softwood lumber broken into several families and types and used for decorative and functional purposes, including outdoor furniture.

The high demand for walnut continues, according to dealers interviewed by Woodshop News. Claro walnut (Juglans hindsii), a domestic from the Northwest, is particularly sought after.

Demand for koa (Acacia koa) is high, and so is the price. Endemic to Hawaii, the dense hardwood is regarded as a “semi-exotic” by its dealers due to its rather limited availability.

North American and European white oak are dominating the hardwood market, according to U.S. dealers surveyed by Woodshop News. The strong demand is reflected in higher prices.

Despite its low cost and rustic charm, white pine is often stereotyped as the cheap underdog in the woodworking industry. But some vendors report that’s no longer the case.

" ... it’s easy to work with, it’s light in weight, easy to finish, takes stains well"