to echo much of this, the quality of the wood is a huge influence in selecting a piece to hew. maybe this is obvious but clear is really preferable, as is green.
basswood is mentioned in the first list, and is super pleasant to hew. like buttah. even more so than white pine.
i would add balsom fir to the list- sometimes considered a 'junk' wood, but easy to square up and often clear at the bottom length or with small pin knots that hew easily.
i've had good luck with white birch too. it happens to do very well here in Northern Ontario, with the best trees on a lot often being of that species. but then sometimes you get into a twisty one that wants to stay round.
