HOME GROWN - BC WOODS

West Wind Hardwood is proud of our home grown western woods, and would like to share the 'wealth' of forest species with you. There are many choices of fine local BC woods. The diverse softwood and hardwood tree species that grow in British Columbia, allow for a variety of quality wood products in a range of grades. Some of these species are not commercially harvested, but are to be valued in limited quantities.

Red Alder: Known as Western and Oregon alder. The 'red' name comes from the fact that the inner bark turns orange-red when exposed to air. It is one of British Columbia's most important woods. Traditionally used for bowls; it is great for furniture and flooring.

Arbutus: Known as Madrone. It is described as one of the most beautiful boradleaf flowering evergreen deciduous tress, but it is not commercially harvested as it is difficult to season, and warps & checks easily. With care, it can be used for special projects. See the comments in our Forest Facts.

Pacific Yew		Arbutus Bark

Western Red Cedar: Known as the Tree of Life, it is British Columbia's official tree. This is a highly valued tree for good reason. Traditionally the wood was used for canoes, totem poles and daily utensils. The fiber produced cloths, baskets and nets. Today, we value the wood for interior paneling, outdoor furniture, decking and cedar strip canoes.

Yellow Cedar: Known as cypress and Alaska yellow cedar, it is not a true cedar. It is commonly used in boat building; with poor steam bending qualities it works well with hand or machine tools.

Cottonwood: Known as Poplar and Balsam. It is named for its resin that has a sweet, balsam odour, and is the tallest of all BC's broad leafed trees. It is commonly used for furniture framing, interior joinery and toys. Lower grades are used for crates and pallets and as pulpwood.

Douglas-fir: Known as Coast Douglas-fir and Oregon pine. It is named after Scottish botanist, David Douglas, who introduced many of BC's conifers to Europe. We at West Wind Hardwood absolutely love this wood. It creates richly coloured flooring and panelling, and is a superb boat wood. Larger timbers are used for heavy-duty construction such as wharfs and trestles.

Sitka Spruce Bark		Fir Cones - Broughton Archipelago

Western Hemlock: Known as Pacific or West Coast hemlock. It is an important food source for deer and elk, and valued for doors, windows and architectural millwork.

Bigleaf Maple: Known as Pacific or Western maple. It is the largest and fastest growing maple in Canada, and is well named as its leaves are enormous with stems often as long as the leaf. Traditionally it was used for dishes, pipes and paddles; while the inner bark used for rope and baskets. The young shoots were eaten and sap used to make maple syrup. Today we see it used for furniture and musical instruments; especially when selected for its high-figure. The flowers are edible and can be used in salads.

Garry Oak: According to legend, carrying an acorn from the Garry oak helps preserve a youthful appearance. The Garry oak is the only native oak in British Columbia. There is limited commerical harvest and is under protection in some areas; there is some value for flooring and boat construction. Greenhouse experiments have shown that it is a good host for the gourmet truffle.

Lodgepole Pine: Known as Shore, Black, Scrub and Coast pine. It is British Columbia's only native two-needled confier and is found widespread through the province. This pine is susceptible to mountain pine beetle attacks, and to mistletoe invasion, rust and root rot; and is marketed as "denim pine". Traditionally, the pitch was used as a base for medicines, poultices and chewed to relieve sore throats. Today, the pine is used in plywood, paneling, furniture and fence posts.

Western White Pine: Known also as silver pine, it is named after the light colour of its wood. It has straight even grain wood with a variety of uses for crates, caskets, matches and paneling/plywood. It is favoured by carvers.

2nd Growth Forest on East Redonda Island		Culturally Modified Western Red Cedar

Sitka Spruce: Known as Coast spruce. It is the largest of BC's spruces, and some indigenous tribes consider Sitka spruce to have magical powers. It is prized for shipbuilding, musical instruments and airplane construction.

Western Yew: Known as Pacific yew. It's English counter-species is thought to have been used for Robin Hood's bow. It is Shelley's absolute favourite wood - no question!! It ages to a beautiful rich cognac colour. There is limited commercial harvest; current forestry practices do not utilize the yew tree and often only the bark is harvested for the cancer-treating 'Taxol'. It was traditionally used for bows, paddles and snowshoe frames.