A Guide to International Casket Hardwoods

Catalpa Compares to Cherry in graining and density.  Catalpa is found near riverbanks and in the woodlands of the West Indies, eastern Asia and North America.  It is commonly known as The Queen of Heaven in China.  In America the Cherokee nation of the Carolinas named the tree "catawba" but due to a botanist's transcription error, it became known as catalpa.  Some of the common uses of catalpa wood are posts, rails, interior finishing, handles, cabinetry, furniture and picture frames.  Catalpa works very well with hand tools and is resistant to decay.

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Chinaberry Compares to Oak in graining and density.  The chinaberry tree is native to China, India and Australia and is a member of the mahogany family.  The Tree was introduced into the United States in the middle 1800s and was widely used then as an ornamental around home sites.  The seasoning of the wood is relatively simple; the planks dry without cracking or warping and are resistant to fungal infection.  Some uses of chinaberry wood are furniture and flooring.  See one of our caskets made from chinaberry!

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Paulownia Compares to poplar in graining and density.  China has historically been the largest grower of paulownia.  It can be traced back to 200 A.D. in Japan.  Like the chinaberry, the paulownia tree found its way to the United States in the mid-1800s and became naturalized in the eastern states.  According to some industry experts (and we agree!), paulownia is poised to be the new timber tree of the 21st century, due to its fast growth rate, strength, light weight and natural resistance to rot and decay.  Paulownia has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any wood and is a great alternative to Western red cedar, balsa, maranta, and basswood.  Some products produced with paulownia are furniture, musical instruments, toys, windows, doors and cabinets. See one of our caskets made from paulownia!

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