This reference work portrays the range of qualities and uses of over 150 of the world's most popular and frequently used types of wood. Arranged alphabetically, the book details the anatomy and life cycle of each tree, forest types around the world, the processes of felling, drying, cutting and grading, deforestation, conservation and the subtleties of grain, pattern and colour. Each entry covers the tree's definitive names, its natural habitat and country of origin, its growth pattern and height, the appearance of the timber, its craft properties such as durability and machine and hand-tool working property, and the uses of the wood, including joinery, furniture, flooring, panelling and much more.