In this tutorial I will show you how to create a really nice, realistic wood texture which you can later use to texture 3D models. Follow below steps to find out more:

1) Let's start by creating a new document and creating a rounded shape with the Pen Tool as shown in figure 1.

2) Now let us fill brown color (which should not be too light nor too dark) to the newly created shape as shown in figure 2. I have selected RGB: 146, 94, 29 for this tutorial, which would be a color similar to wood.

3) Now holding control key click on the shape layer to obtain a selection which has the same contour as the shape. Then add a new layer on top of the previous one. Now select Gradient Tool from tool pallete, click on the color gradient on the top bar and choose Noise as Gradient type in the Gradient Editor dialog box as shown in figure 3. Hit Randomize to change the colors.

4) The resultant image would be as shown in figure 4.

5) When you're happy with the result click OK and fill the new layer with a noise gradient, from top to bottom as shown in figure 5.

6) Repeat the operation onto a new layer, with the same selected area but a new color gradient and do it once more. Now you have three gradients on three different layers. The resultant image would as shown in figure 6.

7) Go through each gradient layer and hit Ctrl+Shift+U to convert it to a grayscale gradient. Change each gradient layer's blending to Soft Light. You should now have a nice brown gradient spreading over your shape as shown in figure 7.

8) Now select a gradient layer and go to "Filter>>Distort>>Wave..." In the dialog set both Amplitude bars to 1, then hit Randomize a couple of times and the OK button as shown in figure 8.

9) Repeat the step above with the other two gradient layers. The resultant image would be as shown in figure 9.

10) Now create a new layer, with the shape marquee still on. Go to the Gradient Tool. This time choose a Solid gradient composed of a few black and white alternates as shown in figure 10.The resultant image would be as shown in figure 11.

11) Now drag the new gradient onto the new layer almost perpendicular to the previous gradients as shown in figure 12.

12) Now let us set the blending of the new layer to Overlay. Go to "Image>>Adjustments>> Brightness/Contrast" and tone down both values gradients as shown in figure 13.

13) Finally add a shadow and inner shadow to the shape layer (the bottom one) as shown in figure 14.

14) That's it we have finished creating wooden texture and now you're ready to impress everyone with your new wooden texture. The resultant image would be as shown in figure 15.