Chestnut: resembles oak in appearance, is much softer, moderately hard, course grained, not strong, but durable.
Cypress: moderately hard, very fine and close grained, virtually indestructable; known as "the wood eternal".
Basswood: white, light, soft, tough, closed grained, easily worked, not strong, but durable; used for almost any part of a toy where much strength is not required.
White Pine: very light, soft, close and straight grained, inferior; easy to work.
Yellow Pine, yellowish, grain noticeable, harder than white pine, stronger.
Tulip (yellow poplar): light, soft, close and straight grained; tougher than many woods equally soft, compact, not very strong or durable, easily worked.
Spruce: straight growing, light, straight and even in grain, tough, elastic, easy to work.