Burr Wood (huamu) does not come from a specific tree but rather refers to a cross section cutting of the wood near the root.  The different grain patterns from the root can make some interesting designs and are frequently used as contrasting panels in the doors of furniture.

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Camphor Wood (zhangmu) is a hardwood that has a wonderful grain and is ideal for making carvings.  It is similar to cedar in that its distinctive smell deters insects.

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Chicken Wing Wood (jichimu) a prized and expensive hardwood is so named for its grain which resembles the pattern of bird feathers.

 

Cypress Wood (baimu) is a dense smooth wood with light yellow/brown coloring and is very resistant to rot and decay.

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Iron Wood (tielimu) is a predominately grayish black hard wood with a coarse texture.  Ming Dynasty furniture pieces made from iron wood can occasionally still be found but because of there rarity these pieces usually carry a high price.

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Northern Elmwood (yumu) is a semi-hard wood and is used commonly for making furniture.

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Rosewood (hualimu) is a general term that encompasses a variety of Pear woods.  Unlike other hard woods, rosewood may have a mild yellow hue (highly prized Hualimu), or a more intense one often called Yellow Rosewood or Huanghuali.  Much emphasis has been placed on Huanghuali furniture but general consensus is that insufficient attention has been paid to furniture of other fine woods and the current price differential is really not justified.

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Sandalwood (Zitan) originating from India, Vietnam, and the Malay Peninsula, this hard wood has been revered by the Asian countries for hundreds of years.  Sandalwood is a slow growing tree and takes a generation or more to reach maturity.  Purple sandalwood (chin-ssu tzu’an) a very dense and heavy wood, is prized and expensive.  Its color appears to be black with hints of purple emerging.

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Southern Elmwood (jumu) is a denser wood than its cousin the Northern Elm.  The defining characteristic of Elmwood is its stunning wave-like lines. It is an excellent wood for furniture because of its durability.

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Disclaimer:  Many types of hard and soft woods were available in the vast number of regions in China.  Woods of the same type may vary in color and grain and can change according to the angle of the cut.  For example, a vertical cut straight down the middle or through and through, will create a pattern of  vertical lines and this will differ vastly from the look of a horizontal cut.  Misidentification of wood type may apply.