Here’s another great hardwood-inspired gift for the holidays. This simple headrest pillow was transformed into a realistic bark-covered sycamore trunk thanks to the magic of 3D printing technology! https://ow.ly/EqBtq

It’s time to start thinking about presents for the holidays! Our Insights from the Experts columnist put together a list of great hardwood-inspired gifts. We’ll feature one each week through Christmas – so start shopping! First up are these walnut and ceramic tumblers by David Rasmussen https://ow.ly/E3tcP

According to the USDA and American Hardwood Export Council, the three leading lumber species globally this year are Red Oak, White Oak and Tulipwood (Yellow Poplar). Ash, Maple and Walnut are also major export species. Photo: Red oak tree

Would you pay $20,000 for a reference book of wood species? The Society of American Foresters, through the auction house of Bonham’s of San Francisco, sold an original set of Romeyn Beck Hough’s reference classic, The American Woods. The book features thin veneers of 324 species of wood found in the US in the 19th century, and was sold for $22,500. https://ow.ly/DoetC

Could the skyscrapers of the future be built from wood? Canadian architect Michael Green says they’re a necessity | via CityMetric https://ow.ly/D1HWP Photo: Melbourne’s wooden high rise via Lend Lease.

Ever wondered how American Hardwood gets turned into a skateboard? This great video from Chapman Skateboards explains it all! How pieces of wood turn into a skateboard https://ow.ly/CFoQK

Train Like a Lumberjack Without a Saw – Some of a lumberjack’s moves can improve your fitness via Wall Street Journal https://ow.ly/Ck7C0

Matthew Keller Design of Kansas City used black walnut to add warmth to a fireplace and towering entranceway https://ow.ly/C3WYO

Whole Trees LLC in Madison, WI utilizes trees that are too small to be turned into lumber, and creates beautiful support columns and beams. In the example pictured, a structurally loadbearing black willow tree replaced a steel beam. https://ow.ly/BLE3j

The Wish List, a project initiated by the American Hardwood Export Council (tag) brings together a stellar list of architects and designers to create a “Wish List” of American Hardwood creations. https://ow.ly/BvwBC
Photo: A chaise lounge crafted from maple and walnut designed by Allen Jones and Lola Lely. Photo by Petr Krejci