Category: Wood & Lumber

Wood types, plywood, and choosing materials.

Furniture

Mid-Century Modern End Table

Published 1 min read

This table blends clean lines with clever book storage—proving good design is as functional as it is beautiful. For many years the furniture in my house was a hodgepodge of… Source

Skills & Techniques

STL375: What Is Moonwood?

Published 1 min read

Fine Woodworking staffers Mike, Owen, and Bridgid sit down to discuss Handworks 2026, wood finishes for kitchen utensils, and the moon’s effect on trees.

Accessories

Online Extras from Issue #325

Published 1 min read

Issue #325 of Fine Woodworking is out now but don’t forget to check out online extras provided by some of our favorite woodworkers and teachers.

Wood & Lumber

Western spruces: Engelmann and Sitka spruce have very similar properties

Published 1 min read

Two major spruces are found in the western forests of the United States. Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) is found throughout the Rocky Mountains, from Alberta to Arizona. It’s named after George Englemann, who discovered this species in the mid-1800s.Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is found primarily within 50 miles of the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to…

Wood & Lumber

Douglas-fir: Exceptionally strong and abundant species

Published 1 min read

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is one of the premier species of the Western forests. Not only is the wood exceptionally strong for its weight, but the trees are abundant. Trees can grow more than 250 feet tall (with the first 150 feet free of knots and branches) and more than 6 feet in diameter. Some trees…

Wood & Lumber

Blackgum: Water-loving tree is also called tupelo

Published 1 min read

Blackgum, also called black tupelo, tupelo gum, or just tupelo, is a tree that loves to grow in water and water-soaked soils. In fact, the genus Nyssa is the name of a water nymph. The tree grows throughout the eastern states, from Maine to Texas. Tupelo, Mississippi, (Elvis’ birthplace) was named after this tree. A close…