Oak- Red & White - Among the best for burning,splits easily (usually) one of our most abundant domestic woods used for everything from fuel/charcoal,flooring,railroad ties,rough construction,furniture & cabinetwork etc.Red Oak used for outdoor purposes like railroad ties,posts etc if creosote treated.White Oak needs no treatment,is world's premier wood for cooperage because of it being waterproof -staved barrels that contain liquids,specifically wines,whiskies,sherry & brandy.
Hickory - The hardest,strongest,stiffest & most resilient domestic wood in everyday use.Some woods are stronger,some are harder,but none have the combination of those 4 attributes.Among the best woods for fuel,charcoal & smoking meats.The best wood period for striking tool handles -axes,hammers etc.
Black Walnut - The finest & most valuable domestic cabinet & furniture wood,good for flooring though expensive,very stable once dried,the world's premier wood for gunstocks,sculpture & carving.Splits easily,works easily with hand or power tools.Decent firewood,though large clear straight logs are too valuable for that.
Black Cherry - 2nd most valuable domestic cabinet wood,after Black Walnut.Hard,strong,yet easily worked with hand & power tools.Great fuel,splits easily,smells wonderful when either sawing,splitting or burning.Very stable once dried,moderate shrinkage.Excellent wood for smoking beef,pork & especially poultry.