re: bringing the wood
The Trident-2 (D-5) SLBM uses a wood (maple?) fairing to protect the RVs during ascent. I think the Chinese use teak(?) for their film pod recovery capsules. Balsa wood is also an effective heat shield material for Martian atmospheric entry vehicles provided the vehicle enters from Mars orbit or low energy heliocentric ballistic entry (like MER A and B).
Gary