Bosse

Grain is straight, with a very coarse texture. Heartwood is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil finish) the wood can become nearly black. However, unlike most other dark hardwoods, the heartwood of wenge can lighten (rather than darken) when exposed to sunlight. Very durable; good termite resistance.

Straight to interlocked grain with medium to coarse texture. Heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Colors darken with age, QS surfaces show a ribbon-stripe appearance. Somewhat rot and insect resistant. Easy to work, although tearout can be a problem with interlocked grain. Glues, turns, finishes well.

Poplar typically has a straight, uniform grain, with a medium texture. Heartwood is light cream to yellowish brown, with occasional streaks of gray or green. Sapwood is pale yellow to white, not always clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Moderate to non-rot resistance, can be subject to insect attack. Very easy to work in almost all regards, one of Poplar’s only downsides is its softness.