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Identifying Wood 
with Randy Wilkinson


Gain a deep understanding of wood anatomy and identification in this comprehensive course designed for woodworkers, restorers, and anyone passionate about the art of woodworking. Guided by Bruce Hoadley’s foundational texts and expert instruction, you’ll explore the science behind wood structure, learn to differentiate wood types, and master practical techniques for identifying woods used in American decorative arts.

SIGN UP NOW - CONTENT AVAILABLE MID-FEBRUARY 2025

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You'll Learn: 

  • To understand the fundamentals of wood identification as a skill, based on pattern recognition
  • The classification and naming of hardwoods and softwoods, exploring their distinct growth patterns, densities, and specific gravity relationships
  • How to dive into basic wood anatomy with a 10x loupe, including softwood and hardwood characteristics, and the practical expectations and limitations of this tool
  • To identify commonly found woods such as red oak, white oak, ash, chestnut, hickory, walnut, butternut, beech, sycamore, maple, birch, cherry, poplar, mahogany, and soft pine

 

This Course Is Perfect For: 

  • Woodworkers looking to deepen their material knowledge
     

  • Furniture restorers seeking to identify historical woods

  • Conservationists and historians passionate about American decorative arts

 

Course Outline: 

 

Session 1: Foundations of Wood Anatomy

  • Understand the fundamentals of wood identification as a skill based on pattern recognition.
  • Learn the classification and naming of hardwoods and softwoods, exploring their distinct growth patterns, densities, and specific gravity relationships.
  • Dive into basic wood anatomy with a 10x loupe, including softwood and hardwood characteristics, and the practical expectations and limitations of this tool.

Session 2: Common Woods in American Decorative Arts (Part 1)

Prepare wood samples for examination with a 10x loupe.

  • Explore the unique features of seven iconic woods:
    • Red Oak Group
    • White Oak Group
    • Ash Group
    • Chestnut
    • Hickory
    • American Black Walnut
    • Butternut

Session 3: Common Woods in American Decorative Arts (Part 2)

Continue your deep dive into wood characteristics, focusing on:

  • American Beech
  • Sycamore
  • Maple
  • Birch Group
  • Cherry
  • Poplar
  • Mahogany
  • Philippine Mahogany
  • Soft Pine Group, including Eastern White Pine

Session 4: Comparing Closely Related Woods

Learn to distinguish between similar woods using hands-on exercises:

  • Ring-porous woods stained to look alike
  • White Oak vs. Red Oak Groups
  • Walnut vs. Butternut vs. Mahogany
  • Beech vs. Sycamore
  • Maple vs. Birch
  • Cherry vs. Poplar

Session 5: Wood Fragment Identification

  • Master the "Pyramid Model" decision-making process for wood identification
  • Apply your skills to identify wood fragments from a variety of species, including: Hickory, Chestnut, Beech, Maple, Birch, Walnut, Cherry, Hard Pine, Soft Pine, and Sycamore.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

 

Randy Wilkinson

 

Randy S. Wilkinson, a furniture conservator and wood identification expert, transitioned from electrical engineering to 18th-century furniture reproduction in 1988. With a master’s degree from the Smithsonian Institution’s Furniture Conservation Training Program, Randy has work showcased in museums and private collections. As principal at Fallon & Wilkinson, LLC, Randy combines his expertise in crafting and conserving furniture with a passion for wood identification, inspired by mentors Mel Wachowiak Jr. and Bruce Hoadley. His current research with Yale University explores advanced methods for distinguishing mahogany species. A frequent lecturer and educator, he shares his knowledge across disciplines with furniture makers, conservators, and curators.

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