I know Gary had thought about choosing a wood native to Sweden, as did I. In my research on the subject, I found MANY suitable species that are native, and therefore, that doesn't really narrow it down much either.
Here's a part of a message I sent to him, which will probably help to narrow it down a very little, possibly taking an exotic like purpleheart out of it:
I already did the searching for trees in Sweden, around the Stockholm and lower areas, and found that Ash is plentiful, and chose it based on it's grain structure, resilience (which is why it's often used for handles in high impact situations like axes and hammers), and most of all it's density (to offset the weight of the Morko), which in heartwood is one of the denser species of tree.
Interesting point, they also have a lot of oaks, spruce (including the oldest known tree in the world - a spruce dated to around 9550 years old
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416104320.htm), and maple.
Here's a more extensive list:
Birch
Alder
Maple
Hawthorn
Oak
Ash
Elder
Hazel
Fly Honeysuckle
Linden (Lime)
Spindle
Yew
Alder buckthorn
Blackthorn
Aspen
European rowan
Swedish whitebeam
Juniper
Holly
Ivy
Beech
Dogwood
Pine
Goat willow
Elm
Larch
Bird Cherry
Wild Cherry
Honeysuckle
Spruce
Wild apple
Pear
Mistletoe
Any of these are potential, but I'd recommend sticking with a hard wood of sufficient density to balance out the gonne.
No question you guys are starting with a better piece of wood than I used. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all do with it!