Chittim

The knowledge of this fact induced the Deity to command the Israelites to "make no idols nor graven image; neither rear you up a standing image:" but He afterwards made them bring their skill into operation by creating for His worship the ark of the covenant, of chittim wood, and the mercy seat, with cherubims of gold — and appointed to design the work Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, who was skilled to devise cunning works, to work in gold and in silver, and in brass; and in the cutting of stones to set them; and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Source: wiktionary

These dowels appear to be of tamarisk, or chittim-wood, of which the ark is said to have been constructed, — a sacred tree in ancient Egypt, and now very rarely found in the valley of the Nile.

Source: wiktionary

It has been suggested that it was called "sacred (or holy) bark" because the early missionaries mistook it for "chittim wood" which is mentioned in the bible.

Source: wiktionary

Owing to the low price offered for chittims bark the amount peeled in Oregon and Washington this year is limited.

Source: wiktionary