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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
7 popular types of wood and the trees they come from
In a world filled with concrete and metal, wood still stands out. It's not just about tradition or looks– wood is strong, versatile, and brings natural warmth to our spaces. From furniture and flooring to instruments and incense, it's a part of daily life, often without us realising. Behind every wooden item is a tree shaped by its climate and region. Some woods are valued for strength, others for their texture or scent. We often hear names like teak or mahogany, but don't always know what makes them unique. Here's a look at seven popular types of wood and the trees they come from, to better understand what goes into the products we use every day. Mahogany Mahogany comes from trees in the Swietenia family, native to tropical regions of the Americas and West Africa. Known for its deep, warm tone, mahogany is widely used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and heritage restorations. Its natural resistance to moisture and decay has also made it a trusted material for musical instruments and boat interiors. Cedar Cedarwood comes from various tree species, including Cedrus and Thuja, found across the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and North America. It's known for being lightweight, easy to work with, and naturally resistant to insects and decay. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A failing liver is taking my son away from me! Help him! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Its scent also makes it useful for storage chests, wardrobes, and lining panels in closets, especially in humid climates. Ebony Ebony comes from Diospyros trees found in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Central Africa. It's known for its deep black colour and high density, which gives it a smooth, heavy finish. Because of these qualities, ebony is often used in musical instruments, fine carvings, and luxury décor. But its slow growth and rarity have raised conservation concerns in some areas. Cherry Wood Cherry wood comes from Prunus trees, mostly found in North America and Europe. It's a medium hardwood that starts out light but slowly turns a warm, reddish-brown as it ages. Thanks to its smooth texture and soft grain, it's a favourite for shelves, wall panels, and custom furniture. It also takes polish well, which adds to its appeal in home interiors. Agarwood Agarwood isn't an ordinary type of wood– it's valued for its rich, natural scent. It comes from Aquilaria trees found in Northeast India and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, it only forms when the tree is infected by a specific mould, which turns the heartwood dark and resin-filled. Agarwood is widely used in perfumes, incense, and traditional rituals, and holds cultural and commercial importance in regions like the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia. Teak Teak comes from Tectona grandis, a tree native to India, Myanmar, and Thailand. With high oil content and natural resistance to water, pests, and weathering, teak is one of the most reliable choices for outdoor furniture, decks, and boats. Because of its longevity and minimal maintenance needs, it continues to be in high demand both in India and globally. Bubinga Bubinga is a strong, eye-catching wood that comes from Guibourtia trees found in West Africa, especially in places like Cameroon and Gabon. It's known for its bold grain and rich colour, which can range from reddish to purplish. Because of its look and strength, bubinga is often used in high-end furniture, veneers, and musical instruments.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Cyclamen and shrubs bring winter colour to gardens
Whanganui's Bason Botanic Gardens show off spectacular autumn colour. The temperatures are edging slightly cooler as we move through the autumn season and we are seeing some spectacular autumn colour at the moment. The flowering cherries (Prunus) are putting on a show of orange, red and yellow leaves. Also on show at the moment are the rich gold
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Oaks, asters and 6 other ‘keystone' native species to plant for biodiversity
University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy's research has identified 'keystone' plant species that make up the foundation of many U.S. ecosystems by producing food for native insects, thus supporting the ecological food web. Even planting just one keystone plant in the yard or in a container will help restore biodiversity on your property. Here are eight of the most important trees and plants that Tallamy, author of the new book, 'How Can I Help?', recommends (find a complete list for your ecoregion at Top keystone trees __ Oaks (Quercus spp.): Best in the 84% of the U.S. counties in which they occur. __ Native willows (Salix): Best farther north. __ Native Cottonwood (Populus): Best in drier regions. __ Native cherries (Prunus): Very important nationwide. __ Native plums (Prunus): Very important nationwide. __ Goldenrod (Solidago) __ Perennial sunflower (Helianthus) __ Aster (Symphyotrichum)
CBS News
28-03-2025
- CBS News
Cherry blossom trees start to bloom for 2025 season around NYC. See how to track their peak.
As the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms reach their peak for 2025 , trees around New York and New Jersey are starting to bloom. Some flowers have already been spotted in Central Park, while others are in full bloom at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. From the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to Branch Brook Park, here's everything to know about when to stop and smell the blossoms around our area. The garden, tucked near the entrance of Prospect Park, says bloom times change from year-to-year but typically range from late March to mid-May. The first trees often blossom around the same time as the garden's daffodils, and the rest will follow within the next four weeks or so. Each tree only flowers for about a week, so there is never a moment when all trees are in bloom at once. According to its CherryWatch tracker , most trees are still in what's called "prebloom," while two species have started to flower. Two Prunus 'Fudan-zakura' trees, located in different parts of the garden, and one Prunus × subhirtella 'Jugatsu-zakura' tree are said to be in the "first bloom" stage. The garden has 26 species in its Flowering Cherry Collection, spread out across its Cherry Cultivars Area, Plant Family Collection, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Osborne Garden, Cherry Walk and Cherry Esplanade. New York City's other botanical garden in the Bronx says its early season cherry trees have also started to flower. Its mid and late season cherries haven't started to bud yet. The garden says Prunus × incam 'Okame' is the star of the early season, followed by these others: The NYBG has 500 cherry trees on view in its Cherry Valley, Ross Conifer Arboretum and along the southern perimeter. Check out its online cherry bloom tracker HERE . Branch Brook Park, which runs through Newark and Belleville, is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms . Each year, it hosts the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival . This year's festival is from April 5 to April 13. The first weekend features a bike race and 10k run, followed by a Family Day on Saturday, April 12 and Bloomfest on Sunday, April 13. Watch a live webcam from the park HERE . Another popular spot outside the city is Wooster Square in New Haven, Conn., where they're hosting their 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, April 6. The event kicks off at noon with food and live music. Perhaps one of the most famous places to see the cherry blossoms is the nation's capital in Washington, D.C. Japan gifted more than 3,000 cherry trees to the United States in 1912 as a symbol of friendship. They are situated around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park and along the Potomac River and Washington Channel in East Potomac Park. According to the National Park Service , the trees hit peak bloom with a burst of pink and white on Friday, March 28. Officials say peak bloom is reached when 70% of blossoms on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are open.
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Telegraph
Mapped: The best places to see cherry blossom in London
There's no need to visit Japan for cherry blossom season. Now that hanami – the centuries-old tradition of flower viewing – is firmly fixed in the UK's national calendar, parts of London are (for a few precious weeks) abuzz with people taking selfies beneath clouds of pink and white petals. Cherry blossom starts to appear at the end of March and continues throughout April, before the flowers shed their petals like confetti. London's most famous cherry blossoms include the blousy tresses of pale-pink outside St Paul's Cathedral; the clouds of cherry blossom along the avenue at Greenwich Park, and the boughs laden with blush petals in Cherry Walk and Asano Avenue at Kew Gardens. In the UK, ornamental cherry trees are the first to bloom, and as these trees have been cultivated for their flowers, they blossom for longer. Hoping to quietly contemplate London's blossom? The city locations with the highest density of cherry trees are not often visited. A bit of data crunching shows that, of all London's boroughs, east London outlier Redbridge has the most cherry blossom, with 920 trees blooming in and around Valentines Park. In Bromley, meanwhile, the areas of West Wickham and Langley Park have 833 and 712 cherry trees respectively; while Herne Hill and Dulwich Park, in Southwark, have 674. Some under-the-radar London parks contain dozens of cherry trees that nearly match those at the more famous Kew Gardens. In Waltham Forest, where the neighbourhood of Larkswood has 592 trees, Whitewebbs Park contains both 19th-century parkland and a rewilded golf course. There are about 150 wild cherry trees within the park, mostly found along its eastern boundary. These are in bloom already and Friends of Whitewebbs Park publishes guides, which can be picked up from the cafe, that detail a spring blossom walk and also locate blossoming hawthorn trees. Meanwhile, Valentines Park, in Redbridge, has around 250 cherry trees that are either scattered about in clusters, standing as single specimen trees, or blooming in rows. As a result, many types of flowering cherry are represented here, including Prunus cerasifera; Prunus avium; Prunus x incam 'Okamé'; Prunus 'Pandora'; Prunus 'Shirotae'; Prunus x yedoensis, and Prunus 'Beni-yutaka'. The park is also home to Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis', which is the earliest flowering cherry in the UK, blooming during winter. Much of the blossom there is out now and will last a month. A lido is set to open here in 2026, too, providing yet another reason to visit. Elsewhere, Enfield's Chase and Crews Hill offer a little-known neighbourhood that brims with 665 cherry trees, proving that blossom can thrive in urban areas. Still scared you might miss out? The National Trust is running an immersive digital-blossom experience – called Nature's Confetti – an installation at Outernet London in The Now Building, Charing Cross Road, throughout April. Use our interactive map (above) to discover the areas where you can find the most cherry trees in London – especially if you're looking for somewhere off the beaten track and crowd-free so you can enjoy the blossom in all its beauty.
