One of my favorite trees, the Tabu, or Tabunoki (Machilus thunbergii), also known as Japanese Bay Tree, native to Japan, SW China, Taiwan, Korea. It is a fast growing hard wood related to camphor trees. Often planted in shrines and temples as a guardian tree. 
Its edible fruit (tiny but resembling avocado) is popular with birds, and according to myth it also attracts benevolent demons. Maybe the birds keep insects away from the temples and buildings it is guarding?
Despite being a hardwood it grows fast and its branches are exceptionally strong and wide spreading, making it an excellent windbreaker, often found in parks near oceans. It usually grows to 20m but some can grow twice as tall.
Not as expensive as the mighty camphor (often derided as its useless cousin...!) it is commonly used for furniture, flooring, etc. Economical!
The bark however is the winner: it is ground and used as the base material for incense. In powdered form it is easy to mix with water and other incredients and kneaded into the desired shape. No glues or chemicals needed.
Being naturally insect repellent it is also useful as the base material for several organic insect repellent incenses. Not too expensive (but not the cheapest kind either). I use it sometimes.
In the southern Hachijoujima islands its bark is also used to dye the traditional silk material used for kimono. Naturally yellow or pink. Called, Kihachijou. Expensive stuff!
