Strong, pliable, and natural, wood is the world?s most versatile structural resource. But how to tell one kind from another and choose just the right wood for your project? This remarkable collection of forty actual wood samples shows the color, grain, and texture of the leading varieties. Detailed drawings identify uncut, unfinished trees by their leaves, fruits, and bark. Originally published in 1969, and now in its eighth printing, this straightforward text explains where each kind of tree is grown and how to use its wood to the best advantage?from lamination to veneering, from carving and molding, to finishing. Here, too, is the history of man?s use of wood from the Stone Age ax to modern-day conservation issues and rare rain-forest species. What Wood Is That? is an invaluable resource for builders, homeowners, and hobbyists?and a fascinating companion for forest guides and nature lovers.