Basswood

Tilia americana, basswood (or lime, or linden in Europe) are big deciduous trees in eastern Canada. This one is growing near Lake Huron in Ontario.

It's interesting; basswoods don't attract a lot of attention but they have been used by people for a wide variety of reasons over the centuries. Lime is the classic carving wood for medieval church sculptures. The flowers have been used for medicinal reasons. I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would cut small branches from this tree in the spring and make slide whistles for me and my brother.

According to this article a whistle can also be made from willow.

Beech

Beech trees (fagus grandifolia) are big, beautiful giants in eastern forests. The smooth bark makes them easily recognizable. The upper photo is a more typical form; the huge tree in the lower photos is a more unusual shape, probably having grown in the open for a long time. In this case the forest contained lots of maples and beeches, an example of Beech/Maple climax forests.

Beech is an underappreciated furniture wood in Canada. It is used for fine furniture in Europe and most English chair legs are turned from beech. I haven't used it as it isn't native to BC but I'm sure it would work well as spindles and backs for chairs as well as turnings.

Black Walnut

Black Walnut trees are found throughout southern Ontario and are plentiful between London and Windsor. This giant was at the ancient site of a First Nations walled village just East of Rodney.

Juglans Nigra produce edible nuts that are not as tasty as Persian (European) Walnuts Juglans Regia. Black Walnut wood is beautiful, dark and easily worked for a hardwood. It is a premium wood for fine furniture. It also is durable when used outside as fenceposts etc.