This wood is difficult to dry but good for furniture and cabinets.

Second installment of Wood Doctor’s original column covers symptoms, diagnoses, and cures for furniture ailments.

Copaia (Jacaranda copaia) is probably more commonly known in North American trade as para para. However, the common name of lumber from this tree varies from country to country. In fact, in Panama, it is sometimes called “elephant’s foot” as the corrugated trunk near the ground looks somewhat like an elephant’s foot.

Gene Wengert, the Wood Doctor, has been answering readers questions since 1979; here’s his first column.

California black oak is in the red oak group of species, but its source of supply (it grows primarily in northern California and southwest Oregon), physical properties (it is weaker than most red oaks, but machines better), appearance (it is not as red, but has tighter grain), and processing differences (drying is difficult) merit a special discussion of this species.

Plus the Wood Doctor answers questions about how wood burns, and why spruce is preferred for musical instruments.

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) grows in the Rocky Mountains, from Alaska to northern New Mexico, in the Black Hills and on the Pacific Coast. Poles of this tree were used by Native Americans for structural supports for teepees and lodges; hence the common name of lodgepole.