International Wood Magazine

From the Forest

Nature's Palette

By Warren Spitz
Portrait of IWPA President Warren Spitz in a dark suit and purple tie alongside the 'From the Forest' editorial letter and a Nature's Palette list of imported wood species.
Warren Spitz, IWPA President 2012-2013, introduces the 9th edition of International Wood with a 'Nature's Palette' index of featured imported species.

Welcome to the 9th edition of International Wood, IWPA's award-winning publication. It is my pleasure to present to you a magazine months in the making – showcasing woods from around the world in everything from man caves to custom-built houses.

In the past we have always shown you how sustainable global sourcing makes it easy for you to create beautiful objects, furniture, homes and public spaces, whether indoors or outside. This year, more than ever, we see the interplay between many different types of wood from across the globe that are brought into our lives and interacting in new and exciting ways.

What often goes unseen are the millions of jobs created in the U.S. and Canada that these woods support. I am truly proud to see our products make such a difference for so many, from forest dependent communities overseas to the woodworkers across our continent whose talents are unrivaled. Furthermore, I am constantly inspired by the projects that architects and designers are now developing that celebrates the use of wood in new and innovative ways.

Enjoy reading about the stunning applications created with imported wood products. If you find yourself wanting to use any ideas you see, simply peruse our Buyer's Guide (beginning on page 66) to locate a supplier. The projects and companies profiled in these pages are the best of our industry. Whether this is the first time you have picked up International Wood or the ninth, I know there will be something in these pages you can appreciate and use.

If you would like to learn more about our industry, I invite you to attend the IWPA Annual Convention in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada from the 17th through the 19th of April, 2013. A full schedule awaits that mixes education, legislative updates and time for business.

It is my fantastic pleasure to serve as the elected President of IWPA during a time of so much innovation in this industry. Join IWPA as a member today or become active in our online community at iwpawood.org as a designer or architect, and share in the exploration of new species, new projects and new possibilities. A great journey awaits!

Sincerely,

Warren Spitz • IWPA President 2012-2013 • UCS Forest Group

Nature's Palette

The forests provide a natural, wondrous and renewable palette of wood species in an amazing multitude of colors and grain patterns. There are literally thousands of species globally that spark the imagination of our readers. Each edition of International Wood provides insight into the wide range of projects that successfully incorporate imported species. We have made every effort below to identify the species referenced in this edition by its more common name and Genus species. Clearly communicate your needs with a U.S. importer, manufacturer or supplier who can best assist you in locating the most appropriate species for your project.

  • Anegre (Aningeria spp.)
  • Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon)
  • Balau, Red (Shorea spp.)
  • Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
  • Birch, Baltic (Betula spp.)
  • Birch, Karlian (Betula spp.)
  • Bloodwood (Brosimum paraense)
  • Bocote (Cordia spp.)
  • Brazilian cherry/jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril)
  • Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.)
  • Cedar, Spanish (Cedrela odorata)
  • Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa)
  • Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)
  • Doussie (Afzelia spp)
  • Ebony (Diospyros spp.)
  • Elm, Carpathian (Ulmus spp.)
  • Garapa (Apuleia leiocarpa)
  • Ipé (Tabebuia spp.)
  • Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa)
  • Khaya/African mahogany (Khaya spp.)
  • Limba, Black (Terminalia superba)
  • Macassar ebony (Diospyros spp.)
  • Mahogany, Honduran (Swietenia macrophylla)
  • Maple (Acer spp.)
  • Massaranduba/Brazilian redwood (Manilkara spp.)
  • Meranti/lauan (Shorea spp.)
  • Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxvlon)
  • Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana)
  • Padauk (Pterocarpus spp.)
  • Paldao (Dracontomelon dao)
  • Pau ferro (Machaerium spp.)
  • Primavera (Cybistax donnell-smithii)
  • Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.)
  • Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.)
  • Rosewood, Madagascar (Dalbergia baroni)
  • Santos rosewood/pau ferro (Machaerium spp.)
  • Sapele (Entandrophragma spp.)
  • Shedua (Guibourtia ehie)
  • Spruce, Sitka (Picea sitchensis)
  • Teak (Tectona grandis)
  • Walnut (Juglans spp.)
  • Wenge (Millettia laurentii)
  • Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis)

REFERENCES:

Frequently asked questions

When and where is the IWPA Annual Convention being held?+

The IWPA Annual Convention is being held in Vancouver, Canada from April 17-19, 2013. The schedule combines education, legislative updates, and time for business.

Where can readers find suppliers of imported wood products featured in International Wood?+

Readers can consult the Buyer's Guide in International Wood, which begins on page 66, to locate suppliers of the imported wood products profiled in the magazine.

How does the imported wood products industry support jobs in North America?+

Imported wood products support millions of jobs in the U.S. and Canada, benefiting forest-dependent communities overseas as well as woodworkers across North America.

What is the best way to identify the right imported wood species for a project?+

Clearly communicate your needs with a U.S. importer, manufacturer, or supplier, who can help locate the most appropriate species for your project. Reference tools include the USDA Forest Products Lab and The Wood Database.

What is the scientific name for Brazilian cherry/jatoba?+

Brazilian cherry, also known as jatoba, is Hymenaea courbaril.

How can architects and designers engage with the IWPA community?+

Architects and designers can join IWPA as members or become active in its online community at iwpawood.org, where they can explore new species, projects, and possibilities.