What is the most common wood used to make the modern standard pencil?

Around 1560, an Italian couple named Simonio and Lyndiana Bernacotti made what are likely the first blueprints for the modern, wood-encased carpentry pencil. Their version was a flat, oval, more compact type of pencil. Their concept involved the hollowing out of a stick of juniper wood.

Shortly thereafter, a superior technique was discovered: two wooden halves were carved, a graphite stick inserted, and the halves then glued together. Which is essentially the same method used today.

The favored wood for pencils was Red Cedar, as it was aromatic and did not splinter when sharpened. In the early 20th century however, supplies of Red Cedar were dwindling so that pencil manufacturers were forced to recycle the wood from cedar fences and barns to maintain supply.

It was soon discovered that Incense Cedar, when dyed and perfumed to resemble Red Cedar, was a suitable alternative.

Most pencils today are made from this timber, which is grown in managed forests. Over 14 billion pencils are manufactured worldwide annually. Less popular alternatives to cedar can include basswood and alder.

In Southeast Asia, the wood Jelutong may be used to create pencils, though the use of this rainforest species is controversial. Environmentalists prefer the use of Pulai, another wood native to the region in pencil manufacturing.