"Morgans" wrote in message
...

Yep, basswood would be a real good guess, and birch would be my second
guess.

There is no easy to see differences between the summer and winter wood in
our sticks, so I would rule spruce out.
--
Jim in NC

These guys use Birch:

http://www.quickmedical.com/puritan/depressors.html

Wood-based products and wooden shafts are made from Northern White Birch,
which yields a high tensile strength and is smooth to the touch. The
following Puritan tongue depressors are perfect for oral patient examination
and patient care.