The following excerpts Wood Species pages are reprinted by permission of the
Architectural Woodwork Institute.
In conjunction with other resource data, this information can be used as a guide
in making appropriate material selections.
ALDER (Alnus rubra)
Red alder is almost
white when freshly cut but quickly changes on exposure to air, becoming light
brown with a yellow or reddish tinge.
Heartwood is formed in trees of advanced age and there is no visible
boundary between sap and heartwood.
Wood is fairly straight grained with a uniform texture.
It machines well and is excellent for turning.
It nails, screws, and glues well.
It can be sanded, painted, or stained to a good finish. It dries easily
with little degrade and has good dimensional stability after drying.
It is a relatively soft hardwood of medium density that has low bending
strength, resistance and stiffness.
AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra)
American Black Walnut is perhaps our most highly prized domestic wood species. Its grain pattern variations are extensive and in veneered form produces, in addition to its normal plain sliced cut, quartered or “pencil striped” as well as specialty cuts such as crotches, swirls, burls, and others. Its heartwood color varies from gray brown to dark purplish brown. The sapwood, which is very prevalent in solid lumber, is cream colored and its complete elimination by selective cutting is very costly. Fortunately, if this natural effect is felt to be undesirable, its appearance can be neutralized by sap staining in the finishing process. The growth conditions of Walnut result in significant width and length limitations in its lumber form. It potential is best expressed in veneered products. Dimensional stability is 10/64”.Density is hard.
ASH,
WHITE
(fraxinus Americana)
It
is open grained and has a strong a pronounced grain pattern. The heartwood is
light tan or brown and its sapwood creamy white. Color contrast between the two
is minor and its blonde effect makes it
very appealing when a
light or near natural
finish is desired. Finished
with darker
tones it
presents a
very forthright, honest and
virile effect. Historically
used in
industrial products
where hardness,
shock resistance, stability
and strength were important. Dimensional stability is 10/64”. Density is hard.
ASPEN
(Populus tremuloides)
Sapwood is white, blending into the light brown heartwood. The contrast between sap and heartwood is small. The wood has a fine uniform texture and is straight-grained. Aspen does not split when nailed, it machines easily with a slightly fuzzy surface, and turns, bores, and sands well. It takes paint and stain well to produce a good finish although care is required where the surface is fuzzy. It has low to moderate shrinkage and good dimensional stability. Aspen is a true poplar, and therefore has similar characteristics and properties to cottonwood. The wood is light and soft, with low bending strength and stiffness, and medium shock resistance. It has a low bending classification. The supply is limited, and rarely available in thick stock.
BASSWOOD
(Tilia americana)
The
sapwood of basswood is usually quite large and creamy white in color, merging
into the heartwood which is pale to reddish brown, sometimes with darker
streaks. The wood has a fine
uniform texture and indistinct grain that is straight.
Basswood machines well and is easy to work with hand tools making it a
premier carving wood. It nails,
screws, and glues fairly well and can be sanded, and stained, to a good smooth
finish. It dries fairly rapidly
with little distortion and degrade.
It has a fairly high shrinkage but good dimensional stability when dry.
This wood is light and soft with generally low strength properties and a
poor steam bending classification.
BEECH
(Fagus grandifolia)
The sapwood is white with a red tinge, while the heartwood is light to dark
reddish brown. The wood is
generally straight-grained with a close uniform texture. Beech works readily
with most hand and machine tools. It has good nailing and gluing properties and
can be stained to a good finish.
The wood dries fairly rapidly but with a strong tendency to warp, split and
surface check. It is subject to
high shrinkage and moderate movement in performance.
Beech is classed as heavy, hard, strong, high in resistance to shock and
highly suitable for steam bending. This wood does not have an odor and limited
in quantity.
BIRCH,
YELLOW-“SELECT WHITE”
“Unselected” Birch means that the lumber or veneer may contain both the sapwood,
or white portion, as
well as the
heartwood, or dark
portion, of the tree in
unrestricted amounts. The
term “Select Red” Birch
describes the lumber or veneer produced from the sapwood portion of the tree. To
obtain “Red” or “White”
Birch exclusive
cutting with corresponding
cost premium as
well as considerable restriction on the width and length
availability in
lumber form.
BIRCH,
YELLOW-“NATURAL”
(Betula alleghaniensis)
The heartwood of the tree varies in color from medium to dark brown or reddish
brown while its sapwood,
which comprises a better
than average portion
of the tree, is near white. Despite
its wide usage
some confusion exists
as to the common terms
used to describe Birch
lumber and/or veneer. Virtually,
all commercial used Birch is cut from the Yellow
Birch tree, which
botanically is
a distinct species. The term
“Natural” or “Unselected” Birch means that the lumber or veneer may contain both
the sapwood, or white portion, as
well as the
heartwood, or dark
portion, of the tree in
unrestricted amounts. The
term “Select Red” Birch
describes the lumber or veneer produced from the sapwood portion of the tree. To
obtain “Red” or “White”
Birch exclusive
cutting with corresponding
cost premium as
well as considerable restriction on the width and length
availability in
lumber form. Birch, in
veneer form, is readily
available in all
“selections” and is
usually rotary
cut. While some
sliced veneer
is produced which simulates the same grain effect
as lumber,
its
availability and
cost reflect
the same cutting restrictions
that are incurred in
producing the “select” forms of Birch lumber.
Dimensional stability is 10/64”. Density is hard.
CEDAR
(Thuja plicata)
CHERRY, AMERICAN
BLACK
(Prunus serotina)
Wild Black American Cherry is a fine and especially stable close grained cabinet and veneer wood. Its heartwood color ranges from light to medium reddish brown. Its sapwood, which is a light creamy color, is usually selectively eliminated from the veneer and lumber. In some respects it resembles Red Birch, but has a more uniform grain and is further characterized by the presence of small dark gum flecks which, when sound, are not considered as defects but add to its interest Cherry is available in moderate supply a lumber and architectural paneling and is usually plain sawn or sliced. Exceptionally rich appearance is achieved with transparent finishes which, together with its fine machining characteristics , justifies its identity with Early American cabinetry and furniture manufacturing, thus adding to its prestige as one of our most desirable native woods. Dimensional stability is 9/64”. Density is hard.
COTTONWOOD
(Populus deltoides)
The sapwood is white and may contain brown streaks while the heartwood may be
pale to light brown. It is a diffuse porous wood with a coarse texture.
The wood is generally straight-grained and contains relatively few
defects. Cottonwood is a true
poplar, and therefore has similar properties to aspen. General machinability is
fair, although tension wood is frequently present and can cause a fuzzy surface
when cut, which in turn will require additional care when finishing.
The wood glues well and has good resistance to splitting when nailing and
screwing. It dries easily but may
still have a tendency to warp, with slight movement in performance.
Cottonwood is relatively light in weight.
The wood is soft, and weak in bending and compression, and low in shock
resistance. It has no odor when dry
and widely available.
CYPRESS, YELLOW
(Taxodium distichum)
While Cypress
is still
prevalent throughout
the south, distinction
should be
made between the type
now generally available and
what was once
known as “Tidewater Red
Cypress.” The latter,
once the “premium”
wood for
exterior applications ,
is now virtually
extinct and
subject to
limited usage. The currently
available Cypress lumber,
while similar
in appearance,
does not contain the
heartwood of inherently high decay
resistance once associated
with the species, and in
lumber form contains A
high percentage of sapwood.
Thus, like
most softwoods, preservative
treatment is imperative if
used on
the exterior. While
this does
not preclude
its exterior
application, it is
perhaps more
generally utilized
for paneling
where its
strong, bold
grain is
best displayed. Dimensional
stability is 8/64”. Density
is medium.
FIR, DOUGLAS
(Pseudotsuga taxifolla)
(Flat Grain)
Douglas-Fir is a large, fast-growing
species and is native to the northwest. It
accounts for much of the
lumber produced in
North America. While
the preponderance of its
production is developed for structural and construction type products, some of
its upper grades are used for stock millwork and
specialized woodwork. Its heartwood is reddish tan
while its
sapwood is creamy
yellow. Since its
growth rings
are conspicuous, a rather
bold grain pattern develops when either plain sawn for lumber or rotary cut as
is common in plywood. Some lumber and veneer is cut edge or vertical grain,
producing a superior form
of the
product since
the tendency to
“grain-raise” is greatly reduced.
Dimensional stability is 10/64”. Vertical grain dimensional stability is 6/64”.
Density is
Medium. Vertical grain density is very hard.
GUM, RED
(Liquidamber styraciflua)(Heartwood)
The sapwood tends to be wide and is white to light pink, while the heartwood is
reddish brown, often with darker streaks.
The wood has irregular grain, usually interlocked, which produces an
attractive figure and has a fine uniform texture.
The wood is easy to work, with both hand and machine tools. It nails,
screws and glues well, takes stain easily and can be sanded to an excellent
finish. It dries rapidly with a strong tendency to warp and twist. It has a high
shrinkage, and is susceptible to movement in performance.
GUM, SAP
(Liquidamber styraciflua)(Sapwood)
The sapwood tends to be wide and is white to light pink, while the heartwood is
reddish brown, often with darker streaks.
The wood has irregular grain, usually interlocked, which produces an
attractive figure and has a fine uniform texture.
The wood is easy to work, with both hand and machine tools. It nails,
screws and glues well, takes stain easily and can be sanded to an excellent
finish. It dries rapidly with a strong tendency to warp and twist. It has a high
shrinkage, and is susceptible to movement in performance. American gum is
moderately hard, stiff and heavy and has a low steam-bending classification.
This wood is readily available.
HACKBERRY
(Celtis occidentalis)
Hackberry is closely related to sugarberry and is a member of the elm family.
There is little difference between sapwood and heartwood which is
yellowish gray to light brown with yellow streaks. The wood is very susceptible
to blue staining before and after kiln drying and has irregular grain,
occasionally straight and sometimes interlocked, with a fine uniform texture.
The wood planes and turns well and is intermediate in its ability to hold
nails and screws, and stains satisfactorily.
Hackberry dries readily with minimal degrade.
It has a fairly high shrinkage and is most suitable in cut stock or small
pieces. It is moderately hard, heavy and has bending strength, high shock
resistance but is low in stiffness. It has a good steam-bending classification.
It is reasonably available in America.
HICKORY
(Carya spp.)
The sapwood tends to be wide and is white to light pink, while the heartwood is
reddish brown, often with darker streaks.
The wood has irregular grain, usually interlocked, which produces an
attractive figure and has a fine uniform texture.
The wood is easy to work, with both hand and machine tools. It nails,
screws and glues well, takes stain easily and can be sanded to an excellent
finish. It dries rapidly with a strong tendency to warp and twist. It has a high
shrinkage, and is susceptible to movement in performance. American gum is
moderately hard, stiff and heavy and has a low steam-bending classification.
This wood is readily available.
MAHOGANY,
AFRICAN
(Khaya Ivorensis) (Plain sawn)
This, one of the true Mahoganies, is perhaps the most widely used of the several Mahogany species. This is due to its excellent cutting and working characteristics and versatility. While its use has been largely for interior purposes, its innate stability and moderate decay resistance justifies its consideration for selected and demanding exterior applications. It has a very pleasing open grain, with its heartwood ranging in color from light to medium dark reddish brown. In lumber form it is more readily available as plain sawn and selectively so as quarter sawn . In veneer form the quarter or “ribbon striped” cut predominates, but plain sliced, as well as many of the exotic “figure” cut, can be produced on special order. Dimensional stability is 7/64”.Quatersawn dimensional stability is 5/64”. Density on both cuts are medium.
MAHOGANY,
GENUINE, AMERICAN “HONDURAS”
(Swietenia Macrophylla)
This Mahogany species
is commonly known as “Honduras Mahogany,”
but actually encompasses
all of these
species that
grow throughout
Mexico, Brazil,
Peru, and Central America.
Its traditional
identity with fine cabinetry
and furniture justifies its position as one of the
finest woods for
this purpose.
It stability,
workability, warm
appearance, and
firm grain make it a
favorite of all woodworking
craftsmen. It is a semi-open
grain wood, with its heartwood color ranging from light tan to a rich golden
brown depending
to some extent on the country of its origin.
Its outstanding stability
and decay
resistance expands
its potential
to include
exterior applications
for
“monumental” projects. It is most
generally available as plain sawn lumber and plain sliced veneer with different
veneer cuts available on special order. Dimensional stability is 6/64”. Density
is medium.
MAPLE, HARD “SELECT WHITE”
(Acer Saccharum, Acer nigrum)
Hard Maple is
very similar
in general
characteristics to
Yellow Birch. It is
heavy, strong, and resistant to shock and abrasion. The heartwood of the
tree is reddish brown and its sapwood
is near
white with
a slight
reddish-brown tinge.
Another natural
characteristic is
the prevalence
of dark
mineral streaks
(predominantly in
the heartwood), which can be
minimized in the sapwood
by selective cutting. Like
Birch, common usage of descriptive terms does occasion some confusion.
The term “Natural” or “Unselected”
Maple indicates that the lumber or veneer may contain both the white sapwood and
the darker heartwood. The term “White” Maple means that the lumber or veneer is
selected and separated from the pieces containing the dark heartwood. Unlike
Birch, the
heartwood is so low in
content that no comparable
selection is
available. Maples close identity with
furniture and
specialized industrial
use overshadows
its potential for architectural woodwork. It’s modest cost, and pleasing,
mild grain pattern warrants its
consideration, especially on
items subject to hard usage.
Hard Maple in veneer
form is
limited but
is increasing
and can
be produced
to special
order.
Dimensional stability is 12/64”.
Density is very hard.
In most respects soft maple is very similar to hard maple. Generally the sapwood is grayish white, sometimes with darker colored pith flecks. The heartwood varies from light to dark reddish brown. The wood is usually straight-grained. The lumber is generally sold unselected for color. Soft maple machines well and can be stained to an excellent finish. It glues, screws, and nails satisfactorily. It dries slowly with a minimal degrade and there is little movement in performance. Soft maple is about 25 percent less hard than hard maple, has bending and crushing strength, and is low in stiffness and shock resistance. It has good steam-bending properties. It is also readily available. Soft Maple dimensional stability is 9/64”. Density is medium.
OAK,
RED (Quercus Rubra)
(Plain Sawn)
Open grained and in its plain sawn
or sliced form expresses a very
strong “cathedral” type grain pattern.
The heartwood is reddish tan
to brown and very
uniform in color. Its
sapwood is
lighter in color
and minimal
in volume,
making its
elimination by selective
cutting very easy.
It is
also available
in rift sawn
or sliced
form, which produces a very
uniform straight-grained effect.
Less frequently it is quarter
sawn or sliced, still
producing a
straight grain
but with
the “flake”
of the
medullary
ray
OAK, RED (Quercus Rubra) (Rift Sawn)
Open grained and in its plain sawn
or sliced form expresses a very
strong “cathedral” type grain pattern.
The heartwood is reddish tan
to brown and very
uniform in color. Its
sapwood is
lighter in color
and minimal
in volume,
making its
elimination by selective
cutting very easy.
It is
also available
in rift sawn
or sliced
form, which produces a very
uniform straight-grained effect.
Less frequently it is quarter
sawn or sliced, still
producing a
straight grain
but with
the “flake”
of the
medullary ray accented. Some
sacrifice in width and length availability occurs when producing either rift or
quarter sawn lumber. Plain sawn dimensional stability is 11/64”. Density is
hard. Rift sawn dimensional
stability is 7/64”. Density is hard.
OAK, WHITE (Quercus alba) (Quarter Sawn)
White Oak, like Red Oak,
is perhaps one of
the best-known
hardwoods in the world, and
its use
for architectural
woodwork, is
widespread. It
is hard
and strong. Its heartwood
has good
weathering characteristics,
making its use for selected
exterior applications appropriate.
It is
open grained
and in
its plain
sawn form is
highly figured. The
heartwood varies considerably
in color from light grayish
tan to brown, making the
maintenance of color consistency
difficult. Its
sapwood is much lighter in color, is fairly prevalent, and its
elimination is accomplished by selective ripping. White Oak,
is often rift sawn or sliced,
producing a very straight-grained effect or frequently quarter sawn or
sliced, producing straight grain,
but with the “flake” of the medullary ray greatly pronounced. The special cut
mentioned are more readily attained in veneer form since
the solid
lumber cutting
techniques greatly restrict
its width and
length potential.
Plain sawn dimensional
stability is
11/64”. Density
is hard.
Rift cut dimensional
stability is 7/64”. Density is hard.
OAK,
ENGLISH BROWN
(Quercus Robur)
The English Brown Oak, or Pollard Oak is a tree which varies in height from 60’
to 130’ depending on soil conditions.
It varies in color from a light tan to a deep brown with occasional black
spots. It produces burls and
swirls, which are very brittle and fragile, but beautiful work can be obtained
from trees which have had their tops cut before reaching maturity. Even though
this wood is one of the finest in use today, the wood is difficult to season and
work. A considerable portion of become decayed sooner or later from constant
exposure to freshly cut surfaces. This has made the timber relatively scarce and
costly. Dimensional stability is unavailable. Density is hard.
PECAN
(Carya spp.)
The sapwood tends to be wide and is white to light pink, while the heartwood is
reddish brown, often with darker streaks.
The wood has irregular grain, usually interlocked, which produces an
attractive figure and has a fine uniform texture.
The wood is easy to work, with both hand and machine tools. It nails,
screws and glues well, takes stain easily and can be sanded to an excellent
finish. It dries rapidly with a strong tendency to warp and twist. It has a high
shrinkage, and is susceptible to movement in performance. American gum is
moderately hard, stiff and heavy and has a low steam-bending classification.
This wood is readily available.
PINE, PONDEROSA (Pinus Ponderosa)
This species ,
while not
a true
Pine botanically
speaking , Ponderosa
Pine is nevertheless
the softwood
species most
commonly used
for exterior
and interior woodwork
components. Its
heartwood is tannish pink,
while its sapwood is a
lighter creamy pink. Its supply is
extensive and thus is more moderate
in price than the other so-called
“true” Pines. Also,
like Pines, the proportion
of sapwood
is high
and its heartwood has only a
moderate natural decayed resistance.
Fortunately, its receptivity
to preservative treatment is high, and since all Pines should be so treated when
used on the exterior, it can be
used interchangeably with them.
Dimensional stability is 8/64”.
Density is soft.
POPLAR, YELLOW
(Liriodendron
tulipfera)
Yellow Poplar, sometimes incorrectly
called “Whitewood,”
is an extremely versatile
and moderately priced hardwood that
is well
adapted to
general interior
woodwork usage. It
is even
textured, close
grained, stable,
of medium hardness, and
has an inconspicuous grain
pattern. The heartwood is pale greenish yellow while the sapwood is white.
Occasional dark purple
streaks also occur. The tight,
close grain
results in outstanding paint
ability, while its modest
figure and even texture
permits staining to simulate more
expensive hardwood. Due to its
indistinct grain figure, Poplar is seldom used for decorative veneered
products. Its white sapwood
is not appropriate for use in exterior applications. Dimensional stability is
9/64”. Density is medium.
REDWOOD,
FLAT GRAIN
(Sequoia Sempervirens)
(Heartwood)
Redwood is the product
of one
of nature’s
most impressive
accomplishments. The
enormous size
and unique
inherent characteristics
of this tree
produce a
material ideally suited for exterior applications. Its heartwood color is
a fairly uniform brownish red,
while its
very limited
sapwood is lemon colored. In
its plain sawn form medium “cathedral”
type figure develops,
while in the
vertical grain
a longitudinal
striped figure results.
Its availability
in “all heartwood”
form with its outstanding
natural resistance to decay accounts for its wide usage for exterior
purposes. It is considered a very
stable wood and its paint retention
qualities are excellent.
Redwood’s principal identity
with painted
exterior application
should not
preclude its
consideration for either exterior or
interior use with
transparent finish.
Its pleasing and uniform color lends itself to a variety of such
finishes suggesting the warmth and honesty of wood in its natural state.
The enormous size of the trees yields lumber of usually
character-free widths and lengths. Dimensional stability is 3/64”.
Density is soft.
SASSAFRAS
(Sassafras albidum)
Sassafras heartwood is pale brown to orange brown, resembling ash or chestnut. The narrow sapwood is yellowish white. The wood has a coarse texture and is generally straight-grained. Well-known as an aromatic species. This wood is easily worked and takes a finish well. It glues well and holds screws better then it nails, where pre-boring may be necessary to prevent splitting. It requires care in drying as it has a tendency to check with small movement in performance. Medium strength in all categories except stiffness which is low. Suitable for steam bending. The lumber is extremely limited.
SYCAMORE (Platanus occidentalis)
The sapwood of sycamore is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light
to dark brown. The wood has a fine
close texture with interlocked grain.
Contrasts well with other species.
The wood machines well, but high speed are needed to prevent chipping.
It is resistant to splitting due to the interlocked grain.
The wood glues well and stains, with care, to an excellent finish. It
dries fairly rapidly, with a tendency to warp.
It has moderate shrinkage and little movement in performance.
The wood is classified as moderate in weight, hardness, stiffness and
shock resistance. It turns well on
the lathe and has good bending qualities.
The availability is reasonable.
TEAK (Tectona Gradis)
Teak is one of the most versatile
and valuable woods
and has attained
great prestige value. The
figure variations
are extensive
and it
is available
in both lumber and veneered
products. Adding to its
appeal is its distinctive
tawny yellow to dark brown
color, often with light and
dark accent streaks. It is
perhaps most
appealing in plain sawn or sliced cuts. While it has unique stability and
weathering properties, making it ideal for exterior applications, its
high cost usually limits its use to decorative
interior woodwork, most
often in veneer form. Its
great beauty and
interest dictate
it being finished in its near natural state. Dimensional stability is
6/64”. Density is hard.
WILLOW (Juglans nigra)
The sapwood of willow varies in width according to growing conditions and is
light creamy brown in color. In contrast, the heartwood is pale reddish brown to
grayish brown. The wood has a fine even texture and although generally
straight-grained it can sometimes be interlocked, or display figure. Willow
works fairly easy with hand and machine tools but care is needed to avoid a
fuzzy surface when interlocking grain is present. The wood nails and screws
well, glues excellently, and can be sanded to a very good finish. It dries
fairly rapidly with minimal degrade although it may be susceptible to moisture
pockets. Dimensional stability is good when dry. The wood is weak in bending,
compression, shock resistance and stiffness, with a poor steam-bending
classification. Reasonable availability on a regional basis.
ZEBRAWOOD,
AFRICAN (Brachystegea Fleuryana)
(Quarter Sawn)
The Zebrawood tree is an equatorial
tree of medium size,
obtaining a height of about 65`
with a diameter
of about 3`. The sapwood
is pale in color and
distinct from the heartwood,
which is of a creamy yellow color veined or striped with very dark brown or
black. The
striped effect
is seen
at its
best when
the wood
is quarter
sawn. The wood is reported
to be easy to saw but somewhat
difficult to work with other tools.
It is claimed that there is little tendency
for the wood to “work” after seasoning. It has been used
for a number
of years for cabinetwork,
fine joinery, fancy
turnings, and veneers.
By careful selection
of veneered material,
the skilled craftsman can
obtain very beautiful effects in
paneled work. In large
panels, a very striking and
attractive result may
be obtained
when using
Zebrawood. Dimensional
stability is
7/64”.
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