All trees have a story to tell. New Zealand Swamp Kauri became submerged and buried 80,000 years ago, and when dug out today is found to be in perfect condition. It didn’t take the same amount of time to try it out in a guitar.  We have a similar story in the UK,  Oak trees buried in fenlands 4,000 years ago are being recovered and recognised as a fine tonewood. In California, Sequoia Redwood trees are enormous, and very very old, with many properties that attract guitar builders. They are quite rightly protected by law, but that law applies even when they fall down - not the best application of thinking green. European spruce has been a mainstay of instrument building for centuries, but sometimes it is impossible to tell the difference between European and Englemann spruce from the opposite side of the world. The lovely Koa from Hawaii is the same family as Tazmanian Blackwood (which isn’t black).  African Blackwood is actually a Rosewood but is often regarded as Ebony. Even Balsa wood has been used for guitar tops. Balsa is the softest of woods, but botanically speaking, it is a hardwood. Confused?