winter project, insight requested

[Fr. Frank]

Try hickory for your lighter contrasting wood. Good rot resistance, a bit harder on your tools when you're working the wood as it's vary hard wood, but not as bad as teak. Steaming helps when bending and shaping. Birch is easier to work, but not as durable unless laminated/encapsulated.

(This advice is from my wife who does woodworking. I do rigging and tuning on boats and bikes, apart from the church)