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As mentioned in the introduction, VCR selected the species listed on this page primarily for their regional and unusual aeshetic characteristics. As these three softwoods are not a definitive list, VCR welcomes your suggestions for additional species.
See also: Canada selected softwoods.
Designers and SME producers can also consult the softwood science resource and the book list on this topic. VCR highly recommends Understanding Wood and Identifying Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley and
Fine Woodworking on Wood and How to Dry It.
Ecolabelling Issues
VCR advocates the use of FSC-certified, recycled wood or timber from well-managed local woodlots. Rare wood species should be used primarily for veneered agriboard panels or other certified boards (MDF, plywood), manufactured with non-toxic adhesives.
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Atlantic white-cedar - Chamaecyparis thyoides 
Common names
Southern white-cedar, swamp-cedar and boatcedar
Related "commercial" species (with similar properties)
Alaska-cedar Chamaecyparis nootkatensis.
Tree
On average reaches 20-28 m (65-92 ft) in height and 55 cm (1.5 ft) in diameter but in optimal conditions can reach 36 m (120 ft) in height and 150 cm (5 ft) in diameter. The hyphen in the name reflects the fact that Atlantic white cedar is a cypress and not a true cedar of the Cedrus genus.
Wood
Sapwood forms a narrow white band, and heartwood varies in colour from pinkish red to light brown. It is very lightweight, fine textured, straight grained and very resistant to decay, suggesting applications in patio furniture production provided the design accommodates the wood's poor resistance to splitting.
Density (12% mc)
380 kg/cubic metre (21 lb/cubic foot)
Strength (12% mc)
Crushing strength 32.40 MPa
Resistance to splitting 2.83 MPa
Static bending strength 46.90 MPa
Processing
Works easily with both hand and machine tools; accepts fasteners easily but with poor holding strength and a tendency to split.
Identification features: hand lens
Growth rings distinct but not conspicuous, delineated by a darker band of latewood, usually fairly wide; transition from early to latewood tends to be gradual.
Traditional uses
Boat building, shingles, decorative fencing, furniture.
Potential "value-created" uses
Patio furniture designs that exploit Atlantic white-cedar's natural heartwood durability.
Western larch - Larix occidentalis 
Common names
Western tamarack.
Related "commercial" species (with similar properties)
Eastern larch Larix laricina, found across Canada, except BC and southern Prairies; not as suitable as western larch for furniture manufacture.
Tree
Long, slightly tapering stem, often free of branches for most of its height; grows up to 50 m (160 ft) in height and 150 cm (5 ft) in diameter.
Wood
Sapwood usually narrow and off-white to pale straw brown; heartwood russet to reddish brown; straight-grained; wood feels greasy; same density as paper birch; perhaps because of its limited availability the unique properties of larch go largely unrecognized and the species is mainly used for construction lumber.
Density (12% mc)
640 kg/cubic metre (40 lb/cubic foot)
Strength (12% mc)
Crushing strength 60.90 MPa
Resistance to splitting 3.62 MPa
Static bending strength 107.00 MPa
Processing
Seasons moderately well except checking causes some difficulty; moderately difficult to work; takes a smooth, hard finish.
Identification features: hand lens
Earlywood to latewood transition very abrupt (similar to Douglas-fir); resin canals sparse and small, distributed mainly in latewood; growth rings very uniformly spaced; rays of two sizes.
Traditional uses
Construction lumber, millwork; interchangeable with Douglas-fir for many applications.
Potential "value-created" uses
Patio furniture designs that exploit larch's high strength by minimizing cross-sectional area of structural components.
Western white pine - Pinus monticola
Common names
Idaho white pine, white pine.
Related "commercial" species (with similar properties)
All species of pines (genus Pinus), including eastern white pine - Pinus stobus, lodgepole pine - Pinus contorta, ponderosa pine - Pinus ponderosa.
Tree
Reaches heights of 15 m (50 ft) with diameters of 60 cm (2 ft) and in optimal conditions heights of 24 m (80 ft) with diameters up to 1.2 m (4 ft).
Wood
Sapwood is a narrow creamy white band with light brown or reddish brown heartwood; straight-grained with a medium coarse texture; pine odour.
Density (12% mc)
420 kg/cubic metre (26 lb/cubic foot)
Strength (12% mc)
Crushing strength 36.10 MPa
Resistance to splitting 2.64 MPa
Static bending strength 64.10 MPa
Processing
Seasons easily with minimal shrinkage; very stable in use with good resistance to splitting; machines and finishes well.
Identification features: hand lens
Growth rings distinct with gradual transition to a narrow band of latewood; resin canals abundant and medium-sized; rays of two sizes visible with hand lens; rays containing resin canals often visible with unaided eye.
Traditional uses
Furniture, foundry pattern stock, millwork, toys.
Potential "value-created" uses
Furniture designs incorporating CNC lathe components; upholstery frames; edge-laminated solid-panel storage systems; thermo-treated patio furniture.
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