cat wacker
I'll bet they sugested that the strechers be made of Basswood (Linden), almost any non coniforous (pine) wood will work, willow, cottonwood, alder, poplar or aspen will make nice strechers. You want to stay away from woods with pitch or resins in them. Putting you fur up on wood sure makes some nice looking collections. Don't strech them too tight or the fur will look thin and don't forget a spreader or they are realy tough to get off the strecher. I used solid wood strechers and slipped a 1/2" dowel with the end taperred down between the strecher and the belly all the way to the mouth, after the pelt dries pull it out and the the plelt will slide off the strecher fairly easy.
Good luck
AWS