Identifying Hardwood Species

While leaf shape is often noticed first leaf edges smooth toothed jagged or lobbed and leaf texture waxy soft rough or hairy are important identifying characteristics.

Identifying hardwood species.

Every hardwood tree species in pennsylvania has either simple or compound leaves. Red oak at 1290 and it is lighter in color than oak. By observing the grain patterns many times you can tell how the board was cut from the tree. The species database will help you choose the most suitable wood species for your project.

Some wood species have dramatically different grain patterns from plainsawn to quartersawn surfaces. Crow s ash is a large hardwood species that is native to northern nsw and parts of queensland. Most common hardwoods unlike the conifers or softwood firs spruce and pines hardwood trees have evolved into a broad array of common species. There are few knots in red and white oak but a distinctive feature that makes it easy to identify the species is visible in a certain cut of the wood called quartersawn where it displays strong flecks of rays cells that run perpendicular to growth rings.

Simple leaves are by far the most common. It contains the physical properties and illustrations of more than 150 commercial species reproduced from the popular trada red books and wood information sheets. As a resource american hardwoods are abundant renewing and sustainable and an excellent choice for eco effective design and building. This guide features 20 of the most abundant and most often used hardwood species.

American red alder grows on the west coast of the usa and is the most common commercial hardwood in that region. Note colors may vary significantly 3 heartwood 1 pale brown pale pink or pale straw pale pink or pale yellowish brown pale pink or pale pinkish brown pale pink or pale pinkish brown yellow brown pale to dark brown or chocolate pale brown sometimes with a pinkish tinge. Maple hardwood generally comes from canada and the northern us. It has a tight grain and a smooth uniform texture.

The guide to american hardwood species. Maple has lighter graining for a smoother and sleeker look. It looks more modern and contemporary while oak has a more classic and traditional look. Both species are light brown in color although red oak usually has hints of red and both have visible growth rings and straight grains.

Each hardwood tree species leaves are distinctly unique. In addition to the basics where they grow general description and abundance. Maple is slightly harder than oak is 1450 on janka hardness scale vs. The most common species in north america are oaks.

It is used mainly for flooring boat building and outdoor furniture.