Sometimes it's not about the breed of tree, but the provenance--where it came from. Christmas of 2017 i made my sons each a pen from maple that grew on our property, a tree they played in as kids. Included a note with each to the affect that i would be honored to know that as their signatures went out to the world, their hands would always be in touch with their "roots". My heart soared to watch their eyes tear up as they read--was great to tug at their hearts the way they had done at mine so many times. Plainest wood i ever used, and they still use them today. One has been on every continent except Antarctica--but did get to Patagonia!!
earl