We operate a woodwork shop in Burford, Oxfordshire, called Burford Woodcraft and we sell all manner of British handmade wooden objects from wooden kitchenware, wooden kitchen utensils, wooden furniture, wooden ornaments, wooden toys and wooden games to wooden sculpture, wood carving, wooden boxes and wooden accessories. We specialise in wood alone and have been in business for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on the quality of our local woodworking artists' workmanship and the uniqueness and beauty of the wooden woodcraft products (all handmade in Britain out of wood) that we sell. British handmade wooden woodcraft items make ideal gifts for anyone, even as a little present to yourself. If you can't get to our woodcraft shop in Burford (in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds) then why not buy our British handmade wooden products online in our online woodcraft shop? We can also offer British handmade woodcraft products designed to your specification as part of our commissions service. Why not commission a piece of British handmade wooden sculpture, a wood craving, a wooden toy, a wooden game or a piece of handmade wooden furniture for yourself or a loved one? By the way, did we mention that we sell British handmade woodcraft products - i.e. things made out of wood in Britain by British woodcraft artists?
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Photograph of a carved Burr Elm platter by Don White

Woods

At Burford Woodcraft, a variety of different woods are used in our products and if you are purchasing an item from our online shop or planning on commissioning a piece, you may find the following information useful in identifying and choosing a wood.

You will also find wood care tips at the foot of this page.

Identification

Please bear in mind, that the descriptions and images below are intended for use as a guide only. Timber can vary in colour and grain pattern from tree to tree within the same species.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Ash

Ash

This native wood ranges in colour from cream to tan with straight to wavy open grain.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Brown Oak

Brown Oak

This is oak that has been changed in colour ranging from golden to dark brown. It's caused by the tree being attacked by the Beef-steak fungus through an open wound.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Burr Elm

Burr Elm

A rich brown with an open grain and attractive burr figuring.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Cherry

Cherry

Shades range from pale orange brown to a rich red with a straight grain and fairly fine even texture. It darkens with age.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Ebony

Ebony

This is mainly black with lighter shades, speckles or stripes of grey or dark brown.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Elm

Elm

A dull to rich brown with an open grain and sometimes with small burrs (pin knots).

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Laburnum

Laburnum

Golden brown in colour going through to dark green with well marked figuring.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Maple

Maple

A creamy white wood with little figure.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Oak

Oak

A rich honey brown colour - strong and durable with a distinctive grain pattern.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Spalted Ash

Spalted Ash

Pale cream through to honey brown, sometimes with a fine tracery of black lines. It is caused by fungal growth adding extra interest to the grain pattern.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Spalted Beech

Spalted Beech

Pale cream through to brown with a fine tracery of black lines caused by fungal growth.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Sycamore

Sycamore

A white to creamy white wood with a natural lustre and a fine close even texture.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Walnut

Walnut

This is a rich dark brown to purplish black with greyish sapwood.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Wenge

Wenge

A dark chocolate brown wood with almost black veins. It is straight grained and very dense.

Photograph of the typical grain pattern and colouring of Yew

Yew

A very dense, soft wood, light tan to dark brown orange, sometimes streaked with cream sapwood or purple tints and knots. It darkens with age.

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Burford Woodcraft, 144 High Street, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4QU
Tel: +44 (0) 1993 823479
enquiries@burford-woodcraft.co.uk