Monday, February 22, 2010

Wood veneer, Wenge

Wenge

cat-wenge.jpgCabinet shop owners are now showing samples of this superb species to more customers and getting excellent feedback. In smaller projects, you'll find that wenge is excellent for contrast against medium tone woods such as oak, cherry, koa, and more. When you find good quality wenge veneer, it is because a veneer mill properly "cooked" the log prior to slicing it. This species is among the most difficult logs to slice. The wenge tree grows to 90 feet high and have a diameter of more than 36 inches. Wenge is in relatively short supply but the price has remained affordable.
Common Name:
Wenge, Mibotu, Bokonge, Palissandre du Congo
Scientific Name:
Millettia laurentii
Family:
Leguminosae
Color:
Dark brown with very dark (almost black) veining
Origin:
Zaire, Gabon, Cameroon, Tanzania
Hardness:
Hard
Texture:
Coarse, open pore
Finishing:
Readily accepts non-water-based stains and can be top-coated with oil based polyurethane, lacquer, and tung oil. Oil based finishes take longer to dry. Water based finishes are often problematic due to the oily/resinous nature of the wood.

Wood veneer, Walnut Burl Grade: Good

Walnut Burl Grade: Good

cat-walnut-burl-good.jpgWalnut burl is a classic beauty. It is used on everything from fine furniture to automobiles. The rich brown color is frequently accented with a light coat of penetrating stain which brings out the figure. Walnut is one of only a handful of species that lightens with exposure to UV light. Vintage walnut furniture pieces are usually very warm in color. The lightening process can take months, years, and even decades to achieve.
Common Name:
 American Walnut Burl, Claro Walnut
Scientific Name:
 Most burls are formed by the grafting of Juglans nigra to Juglans regia
Family:
 Juglandaceae
Color:
 Light to medium brown, occasional dark browns
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Open-pore, fine
Staining & Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes
Did You Know:
 Most of the walnut burl that is available is "created" by grafting European walnut to American walnut for the purpose of growing nuts on tree plantations. These trees have a limited production life and when this span of time has concluded, the trees are then harvested for their burl growth.

Wood veneer, Walnut Burl Grade: Better

Walnut Burl Grade: Better

cat-walnut-burl-better.jpgWalnut burl is a classic beauty. It is used on everything from fine furniture to automobiles. The rich brown color is frequently accented with a light coat of penetrating stain which brings out the figure. Walnut is one of only a handful of species that lightens with exposure to UV light. Vintage walnut furniture pieces are usually very warm in color. The lightening process can take months, years, and even decades to achieve.
Common Name:
 American Walnut Burl, Claro Walnut
Scientific Name:
 Most burls are formed by the grafting of Juglans nigra to Juglans regia
Family:
 Juglandaceae
Color:
 Light to medium brown, occasional dark browns
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Open-pore, fine
Staining & Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes
Did You Know:
 Most of the walnut burl that is available is "created" by grafting European walnut to American walnut for the purpose of growing nuts on tree plantations. These trees have a limited production life and when this span of time has concluded, the trees are then harvested for their burl growth.

Wood veneer, Walnut Burl Grade: A-AAA

Walnut Burl Grade: A-AAA

cat-walnut-burl-best.jpgWalnut burl is a classic beauty. It is used on everything from fine furniture to automobiles. The rich brown color is frequently accented with a light coat of penetrating stain which brings out the figure. Walnut is one of only a handful of species that lightens with exposure to UV light. Vintage walnut furniture pieces are usually very warm in color. The lightening process can take months, years, and even decades to achieve.
Common Name:
 American Walnut Burl, Claro Walnut
Scientific Name:
 Most burls are formed by the grafting of Juglans nigra to Juglans regia
Family:
 Juglandaceae
Color:
 Light to medium brown, occasional dark browns
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Open-pore, fine
Staining & Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes
Did You Know:
 Most of the walnut burl that is available is "created" by grafting European walnut to American walnut for the purpose of growing nuts on tree plantations. These trees have a limited production life and when this span of time has concluded, the trees are then harvested for their burl growth.

Wood veneer, Walnut (European Burl)

Walnut (European Burl)

cat-walnut-euroburl.jpgEuropean walnut is blanket name that covers a wide variety of walnut lumber and veneer from Europe. The most common woods found under this category are French, Italian, Circassian, and Russian walnut. The finest European walnut burl veneer comes from trees which are hand-dug from the ground (the burl growth is commonly found at or below the ground level).
Common Name:
 European Walnut
Scientific Name:
 Juglans regia
Family:
 Juglandaceae
Color:
 Light brown to gray with some creamy white in the burls
Origin:
 Europe (north to Russia and south to Italy), southern Asia
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Open-pore, medium
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes
Did You Know:
 European walnut burl never shows its true color and figure until a finish is applied. Our biggest customers for this veneer are those who have bought it in the past and were amazed by the figure that pops out once a finish is applied.

Wood veneer, Tamo Ash

Tamo Ash

cat-tamoash.jpgTamo ash is one of the most highly figured veneers available. It has a rolling figure similar to "quilt" but the shimmer is much stronger. This figure is often called "peanut" which is does not effectively describe the beauty of this veneer. Even in pictures, the iridescence does not fully show. Customers have described it as "3D" and compared it to water cascading over glass. Lesser figured tamo ash is used today as construction lumber in Japan!
Common Name:
 Tamo Ash, Japanese Ash
Scientific Name:
 Fraxinus mandschurica
Family:
 Oleaceae
Color:
 Creamy white to tan
Origin:
 Eastern Asia (Korea, Japan, Manchuria)
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Coarse, open pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains but most woodworkers would consider it a crime. Tamo veneers can be top-coated with any finish. Penetreating oils, oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, and tung oil will bring out the character in this wood.

Wood veneer, Sapele (Figured)

Sapele (Figured)

cat-sapele-mottled.jpgSapele is a member of the mahogany family and like mahogany, this deciduous species grows quite large...up to 150 feet tall. Quartersawn sapele veneer is very even in color and grain. The highly sought-after pommele ("pom-el-LAY") sapele is stunning. Pommele sapele resembles rain drops cascading down a pane of glass. True quilted sapele is also in high demand because of its intense 3-D grain orientation.
Common Name:
 Sapele ("Sa-PEEL-lee"), Sapeli, Aboudikro
Scientific Name:
 Entandrophragma cylindricum
Family:
 Meliaceae
Color:
 Red to reddish-brown
Origin:
 Africa - Nigeria, Liberia, Congo, Zaire, Cameroon, Uganda
Hardness:
 Hard
Texture:
 Fine, semi-open pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Redwood (Burl)

Redwood (Burl)

cat-redwood-burl.jpgRedwood is a close cousin of the famous sequoia tree of California. Certainly the most prized growth/grain in redwood is burl which generally grows underground and must be excavated with specialized machinery. Typically used on automotive dashboards and small case goods, redwood burl has a pleasant color and shimmer when top coated with lacquer or oil-based polyurethane. It is such a beautiful wood, that it is hard to believe it's not an imported burl species!
Common Name:
 Redwood, Redwood Burl, Vavona Burl
Scientific Name:
 Sequoia sempervirens
Family:
 Taxodiaceae
Color:
 Deep to pale red (though not as pale as madrone)
Origin:
 Northern California, southern Oregon within 35 miles of the coast line
Hardness:
 Soft texture, medium hardness
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accept stains and finishes
Did You Know:
 Growing up to 340 feet tall, the redwood is one of the tallest trees in the world and is one of only a handful of domestic wood species that is resistant to rot.

Wood veneer, Olive Ash (Curly)

Olive Ash (Curly)

cat-olive-ash-curly.jpgThis striking display of color is remarkable among our veneer inventory. Our resources tell us that Olive Ash is not a true botanical species, but instead is simply an occurrence (within the European Ash family) where the heart of the tree grows abnormally causing alternating colors in the annual growth rings. This "beauty of the forest" is excellent for door panels, carcass work, and small furniture pieces.
Common Name:
 Olive Ash, Forest Beauty Ash
Scientific Name:
 Fraxinus spp.
Family:
 Oleaceae
Color:
 Cream with medium brown, gray, or green-ish veining
Origin:
 Europe, Asia
Hardness:
 Primarily hard
Texture:
 Moderately coarse texture
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Mappa (Burl)

Mappa (Burl)

cat-mappa.jpgMappa burl has wonderful color combination that often varies from light tan to a beautiful gold with dark red/brown burl pockets. Mappa veneer also has a very unique aroma which is striking similar to the smell of leather. Originally from Western Europe, mappa is the only species of poplar that develops this rare type of burl formation. Mappa burl veneers typically require a grain filler to level-out the voids in the burl pockets.
Common Name:
 Mappa, Mapa, Mapi
Scientific Name:
 Populus
Family:
 Tremula
Color:
 Cream and tan with dark red to brown burl clusters
Origin:
 Many parts of Europe, Yugoslavia, and Romania
Hardness:
 Soft to medium
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore but open burl pockets which require filling
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Quilted)

Maple (Quilted)

cat-maple-quilted.jpgQuilt figure is the most sought-after grain types found in maple and is typically used on high-end projects such as guitars, automotive dashboards, and the finest of fine furniture. Trees containing usable quilted figue are exceedingly rare partly because this is one grain type which can be seen simply by looking at the bark. Undulatng and uninteriupted waves/lumps on the bark typically indicate a quilted tree or log.
Common Name:
 Maple, Quilted Big Leaf Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer macrophyllum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Creamy white sapwood, light brown heartwood
Origin:
 US (Oregon, Washington), Canada (British Columbia)
Hardness:
 Primarily hard, though some softer maples do exist
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Curly)

Maple (Curly)

cat-maple-curly.jpgCurly maple is known by many names including "flame", "tiger", and "fiddleback" maple. The figure, which occurs in less than 1 in 25 logs, contains cross-grain shimmering ripples where cell orientation is balanced but uneven. The real beauty of a great curly maple veneer can be seen without any special finish. A penetrating oil finish is usually enough to bring out the chatoyance though some prefer to use a dye stain to further enhance the grain.
Common Name:
 Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer saccharum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Creamy white sapwood, light brown heartwood
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Primarily hard, though some softer maples do exist
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Burl)

Maple (Burl)

cat-maple-burl-common.jpgOften considered the holy grail of fine woods, maple burls are wart-like growths typically growing on the lower part of the tree. Burls are believed to be caused by disease or damage to the tree during its early years. Every tree contains "dormant buds" which have all of the genetic information that a tree needs to grow a new tree. When the tree is damaged, these dormant buds are called to action and create a chaotic grain pattern that effectively patches the damage. A burl is often just nature's way of making a band-aid.
Common Name:
 Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer saccharum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Cream, tan, orange, red, and occasional brown
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Primarily hard, though some softer maples do exist
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Burl, AAA)

Maple (Burl, AAA)

cat-maple-burl.jpgOften considered the holy grail of fine woods, maple burls are wart-like growths typically growing on the lower part of the tree. Burls are believed to be caused by disease or damage to the tree during its early years. Every tree contains "dormant buds" which have all of the genetic information that a tree needs to grow a new tree. When the tree is damaged, these dormant buds are called to action and create a chaotic grain pattern that effectively patches the damage. A burl is often just nature's way of making a band-aid.
Common Name:
 Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer saccharum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Cream, tan, orange, red, and occasional brown
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Primarily hard, though some softer maples do exist
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Bird's Eye)

Maple (Bird's Eye)

cat-maple-birdseye.jpgBird's eye figure occurs most commonly in hard maple. The stunning look of small, repetitive, and undulating "eyes" across the grain make this one of the most consumer-demanded maples. Though many theories exist, science has not yet proven what causes this figure. Unlike other maple grains, bird's eye figure can be very difficult to spot in a log unless the bark and cambium layer are removed.
Common Name:
 Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer saccharum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Creamy white sapwood, light brown heartwood
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Primarily hard, though some softer maples do exist
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Maple (Ambrosia)

Maple (Ambrosia)

cat-maple-ambrosia.jpgAmbrosia maple has a unique and stunning pattern in the grain which is caused by the Ambrosia beetle which bores small homes into the tree and introduces two different fungi. The first fungus (called Ambrosia fungus) lines the walls of the tunnel bored by the bug and becomes its food. The second fungus is what creates the amazing colors in the grain.
Common Name:
 Maple
Scientific Name:
 Acer saccharum
Family:
 Aceraceae
Color:
 Cream and tan, with some black, blue, purple, and dark brown
Origin:
 North America
Hardness:
 Typically a softer wood
Texture:
 Fine, closed pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Madrone (Burl)

Madrone (Burl)

cat-madrone-burl.jpgMadrone is mostly offered in straight grain and burl figure types. The burl grows on the root of the tree and is harvested by removing the tree and roots from the ground. Parts of the burl growth are typically visible from above ground at the base of the tree. The burls figure is usually tight and even and the color is generally consistent across the sheet. Madrone burl veneer has a soft and tactile texture. The highest grade madrone burl veneers are used in everything from keepsake boxes to fine automobiles.
Common Name:
 Madrone, Madrona
Scientific Name:
 Arbutus menziesii
Family:
 Arbutaceae
Color:
 Pink to reddish brown
Origin:
 North America (Pacific Northwest from Canada to Mexico)
Hardness:
 Soft
Texture:
 Closed-pore, fine
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Koa

Koa

cat-koa-curly.jpgKoa is one of the forest's most prized gems. Koa is a fast growing tree native to Hawaii and is protected by the government and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Currently, the only logs that are commercially harvested for lumber and veneer are those which have fallen through acts of God. The tree ordinarily grows to 50 feet tall but larger specimens have been found. The veneer is often known for the curly figure which is present in much of the koa that is harvested today.
Common Name:
 Koa, Koai'a, Koai'e, Koa'oha
Scientific Name:
 Acacia koa
Family:
 Fabaceae
Color:
 Gold to medium-brown, often with dark brown streaks
Origin:
 North America (specifically Hawaii, Oahu, and Maui)
Hardness:
 Hard
Texture:
 Fine, open pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Eucalyptus (Burl)

Eucalyptus (Burl)

cat-eucalyptus-burl.jpgThe burl form of eucalyptus is not the traditional protuberence you would expect to see growing from a tree. Instead, the "burl" is formed inside the trunk. The eucalyptus tree (an evergreen) was introduced into California in 1856 and into Hawaii in about 1865 however commercial propogation of this species is generally limited to species from Australia and New Zealand. Despite this, the highest curly figured eucalyptus veneers are currently being grown in and exported from Spain.
Common Name:
 Eucalyptus, Bluegum, Tasmanian Bluegum
Scientific Name:
 Eucalyptus Globulus
Family:
 Myrtaceae
Color:
 Light tan to brown, occasional silvery brown and yellow tones
Origin:
 Australia, New Zealand, Spain
Hardness:
 Medium to hard
Texture:
 Medium to coarse grain with semi-open pores
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Etimoe (Crema)

Etimoe (Crema)

cat-etimoe-crema.jpgThis may be the rarest veneer in the world. The log buyer at the factory said he had never seen a tree like this during his many years in the veneer industry. In fact, he didn’t want to give it up but he graciously agreed to let us bring back a few bundles. It is believed that this veneer came from the Limbe coast in Cameroon, Africa. The reps at the mill are unsure whether this highly-figured veneer is a unique species of etimoe or simply a very rare occurrence of growth caused by fungi or odd soil conditions.
Common Name:
 Crema Etimoe
Scientific Name:
 Possibly Copaifera salikounda
Family:
 Leguminosae
Color:
 Creamy white, tan, reddish-brown, green, grey
Origin:
 Africa (Cameroon?)
Hardness:
 Primarily hard
Texture:
 Medium texture with interlocked grain
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Elm (Burl)

Elm (Burl)

cat-elm-burl.jpgCarpathian elm burl is widely known for its beauty. The burl patterns are often very small and packed close together. The variety of color in elm burl veneer is largely associated with the living state of the tree when harvested. Dead elm trees have a tendency to produce a veneer which is darker and with less contrast than burls harvested from a living tree. Elm burl veneer on classic and high-end automobiles is quite common.
Dutch elm disease (a fungal disease spread by the elm bark beetle) set the stage for the rarity of elm burl and it is becoming more rare each day. The burls are typically smaller now than they have ever been. Additonally, highly figured burl veneers are becoming scarce and expensive.
Common Name:
 Carpthian Elm
Scientific Name:
 Ulmus campestris
Family:
 Ulmaceae
Color:
 Light brown to dark red, occassional green and near-purple
Origin:
 Europe; England, France (notably, the Carpathian mountains)
Hardness:
 Medium
Texture:
 Somewhat coarse, open pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts and finishes

Wood veneer, Chestnut (Burl)

Chestnut (Burl)

cat-chestnut-burl.jpgContrary to popular opinion, chestnut burl veneer is very rare and is becoming more so each day. The chestnut tree is simply not a species that is known for producing large, clean burls. However, this is one burl type that has a very pleasant array of colors that is soft to the eye and compliments many other species very well. Several of our customers have combined this veneer with darker veneers such as walnut and wenge. The finished projects are simply gorgeous!
Common Name:
 Chestnut burl, European Oak (which is incorrect)
Scientific Name:
 Castanea sativa
Family:
 Fagaceae
Color:
 Tan to light brown, with dark brown bark inclusions
Origin:
 Asia, Europe
Hardness:
 Moderately hard
Texture:
 Medium texture with interlocked grain
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Camphor (Burl)

Camphor (Burl)

cat-camphor-burl.jpgIf you're looking for a veneer with unusual color and character, nothing beats camphor burl. The aroma from camphor is hard to mistake. In Japan, camphor wood is used for boat building because of its anti-fungal properties. In northeast Australia, the camphor tree is considered an invasive and efforts are being made to eradicate this species. However, the burl growth found in camphor is generally limited the areas around the Pacific Basin (at 1,500 feet above sea level).
Common Name:
 Camphor, Camphorwood
Scientific Name:
 Cinnamomum camphora
Family:
 Lauraceae
Color:
 Red and reddish to greenish brown
Origin:
 China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Borneo
Hardness:
 Medium to hard
Texture:
 Fine textured grain with semi-open pores
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Bubinga (Quilted⁄Figured)

Bubinga (Quilted⁄Figured)

cat-bubinga-quilted.jpgQuilted bubinga is a beautiful and lustrous veneer. It is often used on fine cabinetry and furniture and is known for its eye-catching color and shimmer. The red and pinkish hues in this species are quickly affected by exposure to UV light. With exposure, the pink colors often become more reddish and occasional a dark purple color. This change in color should not be considered a drawback. In fact, the aged color is beautiful.
The bubinga tree can reach a height of up to 150 feet and can have a trunk diameter of over 6 feet. A veneer mill may opt to rotary slice a bubinga log to get an effect similar to quilt figure even if the log is not truly quilted. When this happens, the veneer mill will often call the veneer kevazingo or kevazinga.
Common Name:
Bubinga, Kevazingo, Essingang
Scientific Name:
Guibourtia spp.
Family:
Leguminosae
Color:
Light red veins with dark to medium stripes, occasional purples
Origin:
Gaboon, Cameroon, Zaire, and into the Congo region of Africa
Hardness:
Hard
Texture:Medium, open pore
Finishing:
Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Bubinga (Burl)

Bubinga (Burl)

cat-bubinga-burl.jpgThe bubinga tree can reach a height of up to 150 feet and can have a trunk diameter of over 6 feet. Bubinga is most often cut into veneer when the log shows the potential for quilted figure. The burl form of bubinga is incredibly rare. Several mills have insisted that it did not exist. We were lucky and found a small stash of it not long ago. It is stunningly gorgeous and extremely expensive. The log buyer at the mill indicated that this burl was the first he had found in 20+ years of buying bubinga logs. Amazing!
Common Name:
 Bubinga, Kevazingo, Essingang
Scientific Name:
 Guibourtia spp.
Family:
 Leguminosae
Color:
 Light red veins with dark to medium stripes, occasional purples
Origin:
 Gaboon, Cameroon, Zaire, and into the Congo region of Africa
Hardness:
 Hard
Texture: Medium, open pore
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Ash (Burl)

Ash (Burl)

cat-ash-burl.jpgLarge, clean, and well-figured ash burl veneer is notoriously difficult to find. More commonly, you'll find ash burl with small dark brown knots which add a touch of "character" to the uniform creamy color. Ash burls are most often found at the trunk of the tree (as opposed to under-ground) which further indicates that the burl growth is the result of external influences such as insects, forest animals, and humans. With a vacuum press, ash burl is very easy to adhere to a substrate.
Common Name:
European Ash Burl, White Ash Burl
Scientific Name:
Fraxinus excelsior
Family:
Oleaceae
Color:
Light cream to yellow, occassional dark brown knots
Origin:
Primarily Western Europe
Hardness:
Hard
Texture:
Medium texture with interlocked grain
Finishing:
Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Anigre (Figured)

Anigre (Figured)

cat-anigre-curly.jpgAngire is an often overlooked beauty. Its texture is pleasing to the eye and works well projects where a subtle yet defined wood veneer is needed. Curly anigre is one of the more affordable figured veneer types despite it's relative rarity. Anigre can be found in Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, and in the rain forests of Uganda. I've had the pleasure of seeing numerous veneered projects in which the creator used anigre as a contrasting compliment to darker woods such as walnut and jarrah.
Common Name:
 Anigre, anegre, agnegre, aningeria
Scientific Name:
 Aningeria superba, Aningeria robusta
Family:
 Sapotaceae
Color:
 Creamy yellow to pale brown
Origin:
 West Africa
Hardness:
 Moderately soft
Texture:
 Smooth texture with semi-open pores
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

Wood veneer, Amboyna (Burl)

Amboyna (Burl)

cat-amboyna-burl.jpgThough straight grain amboyna is a beautiful wood, it is the amboyna burl that is the most sought after. Known for its interleaving colors of red, orange, brown and yellow, amboyna burl is unmistakably one of the forest's most valued species. Before a finish is applied, this veneer typically develops a white crystal-like formation on the surface which is a result of the minerals in the wood cells being displaced by air. To remove the crystals, simply spray the veneer with denatured alcohol and wipe clean. Amboyna burl is often used on automotive dashboards and was the first burl veneer to be offered in Rolls Royce automobiles.
Common Name:
 Amboyna, Narra, Andaman Redwood
Scientific Name:
 Pterocarpus indicus
Family:
 Leguminosae
Color:
 Brown to reddish with occasional orange colors, sapwood is yellowish
Origin:
 Indonesia, South East Asia
Hardness:
 Primarily hard
Texture:
 Medium texture with interlocked grain
Finishing:
 Readily accepts stains and finishes

The Cuts Used to Create Veneer

Rotary Cut VeneerRotary Cut
The log is centered on a lathe and turned against a broad cutting knife set into the log at a slight angle.
  How Veneer is Rotary Cut
  Quarter Slicing VeneerQuarter Slicing
The slicing is made perpendictular to the annual growth rings of the tree. This creates a straight grain appearance
  How Veneer is cut with Quartered Slicing
   Lengthwise Slicing VeneerLengthwise Slicing
This is done from a board of flat sawn lumber rather than from a log. A variegated figure is created with this slice.
    How Veneer is cut with Lengthwise Slicing
  Plain Cut VeneerPlain Slicing
By slicing parallel to the center of the log, a raised "cathedral effect" is formed by the innermost growth rings
    
  Half-Round SlicingHalf-Round Slicing
Sliced on an arc parallel to the center of the log, this cut achieves a flat-cut veneer appearance.
    How Veneer is cut with Half-Round Slicing
  Rift Cut VeneerRift Cut
This straight grain cut is derived by slicing red and white oak at a slight angle to minimize the irregularities in the wood.
    How Veneer is Rift Cut.

Wood veneer

In woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3 mm (1/8 inch), that are typically glued onto core panels (typically, wood, particle board or medium-density fiberboard) to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and panels for cabinets, parquet floors and parts of furniture. They are also used in marquetry. Plywood consists of three or more layers of veneer, each glued with its grain at right angles to adjacent layers for strength. Veneer beading is a thin layer of decorative edging placed around objects, such as jewelry boxes.

Veneer is obtained either by "peeling" the trunk of a tree or by slicing large rectangular blocks of wood known as flitches. The appearance of the grain and figure in wood comes from slicing through the growth rings of a tree and depends upon the angle at which the wood is sliced. There are three main types of veneer-making equipment used commercially:
A rotary lathe in which the wood is turned against a very sharp blade and peeled off in one continuous or semi-continuous roll. Rotary-cut veneer is mainly used for plywood, as the appearance is not desirable because the veneer is cut concentric to the growth rings.
A slicing machine in which the flitch or piece of log is raised and lowered against the blade and slices of the log are made. This yields veneer which looks like sawn pieces of wood, cut across the growth rings.
A half-round lathe in which the log or piece of log can be turned and moved in such a way to expose the most interesting parts of the grain.
Each slicing processes gives a very distinctive type of grain, depending upon the tree species. In any of the veneer slicing methods, when the veneer is sliced, a distortion of the grain occurs. As it hits the wood, the knife blade creates a "loose" side where the cells have been opened up by the blade, and a "tight" side.
Traditionally, veneers were also sawn, but this is more wasteful of wood. Veneering is an ancient art, dating back to the ancient Egyptians who used veneers on their furniture and sarcophagi.