- Teak: Teak forms one of the most valuable timber types of the world. It is durable, fire resistant and moderately hard. It takes up good polish. It is not attacked by white ants and dry rot. Its colour is deep yellow to dark brown. It is suitable for ship building, making fine furniture and in building construction.
- Sal: Sal is also one among the valuable trees. It resembles teak in several aspects. It is hard, fibrous and close grained. It does not take up a good polish. It is durable under ground and under water. It requires careful and slow seasoning. It is used for railway sleepers, bridges, structural work, etc.
- Rosewood or black wood: It is dark in colour. It is strong, tough and close grained. It is handsome and takes up a good polish. It maintains its shape well and is available in large sizes. It is used for furniture of superior quality, cabinet work, ornamental carvings, etc.
- Babul: It is one of the common trees in India, growing in all parts of the country. It is strong, hard, very durable and tough. Its colour is whitish red. It takes up a good polish. Its structural uses include use as beams and rafters in ordinary type buildings and also for fabrication of door and window frames and lintels. Babul is chiefly used for making cartwheels and bodies, tools and handles for agricultural instruments like ploughs.
- Jack: Its colour is yellow when freshly cut and it darkens with age. It is compact, even grained and moderately strong. It is easy to work with and takes a good finish. It maintains its shape well. It is used for making plain furniture, door panels, boat construction, cabinets, musical instruments, etc.
- Mango: The mango tree is well known for its fruits. Its colour is deep grey and is easy to work with. It is moderately strong. It is practically found all over India. It is used for making cheap furniture, toys, packing boxes, ship building, cabinets, etc.
- Deodar: It is the most important tree providing soft wood. Its colour is yellowish brown. It is strongly scented, oily, very durable and polishes well. It is moderately strong. It possesses distinct annual rings. It is used for making cheap and rough furniture, railway carriages, railway sleepers, packing boxes, etc.
- Bamboo: It is an endogenous tree. It is flexible, strong and durable. It is found in most parts of the country. It is used for scaffolding, thatched roofs, rafters, temporary bridges, fancy goods, etc.
- Mahogany: Its colour is shining reddish brown. It takes a good polish. It is easy to work and is durable under water. It is used for making furniture, patterns, cabinets, ornamental paneling, fancy goods, etc.
- Palms: It contains ripe wood in the outer crust. The colour of this ripened wood is dark brown. It is strong and durable and is found practically all over India. It is used for making furniture, roof covering, rafters, joists, etc.
COMMON TIMBERS USED FOR BUILDING WORK